There has been a lot of interest in this summer's annual Faceoff for Mental Health Charity Golf Tournament.
Registration is open for the August 15 event.
FaceOff for Mental Health program Co-Founder and Executive Director Tom Babcock said they started advertising earlier than usual this year because of increased interest.
"We have been told that we are one of the best tournaments around and I think a lot of it has to do with the purpose behind our fundraiser," Babcock said.
The awareness program works with local hockey associations and provides information about local mental health supports for youth.
"We're just trying to normalize conversations surrounding mental health with youth to help end the stigma that keeps kids from having conversations," he said.
In addition to providing information and swag for kids, Babcock said the fundraiser also allows them to make a significant donation to St. Clair Child and Youth Services every year.
The program partnered with St Clair Child and Youth in 2017 but the fundraising golf tournament began in 2013.
"The tournament started out as a fundraiser for hockey teams and we would make a donation every year to St. Clair Child and Youth," Babcock said. "In 2020, I turned the tournament into a fundraiser for the FaceOff for Mental Health program and we've raised over $100,000 that has gone directly to support the FaceOff for Mental Health program and St Clair Child and Youth."
Babcock said the program has expanded into Chatham-Kent as well.
The fundraising golf tournament at Widder Station Golf, Grill & Tap House will include 18 holes, a cart, and two meals.
The double tournament will have shotgun starts at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Babcock said they're aiming to have 144 participants in each tournament.
"In the last handful of years that we've been running the double shotgun, we've averaged about 250 golfers," he said.
It costs $200 per golfer or $800 per foursome.
People can register via email at faceoffformentalhealth@gmail.com or tombabcock@hotmail.com.
