The KIJHL Castlegar Rebels received a $2,500 boost to their general revenue — courtesy of the Travis Green Community Golf Tournament and with the help of a high-profile B.C. businessman — on Friday, July 5 at the Castlegar Golf Club.
Tom Gaglardi, owner of the NHL's Dallas Stars and longtime supporter of the golf event, was on hand to present the cheque to Rebels' secretary, Jean Knight.
Gaglardi is also president of Northland Properties Corp. (the parent company of Sandman Hotels, Inns & Suites, Denny's 24 Restaurant, Moxie's Classic Grill, Shark Club Bar & Grill and Northland Asset Management Company) and said he looks forward to returning to Castlegar every year.
"It's wonderful," said Gaglardi who is also part of the ownership group of the Kamloops Blazers. "I'm a huge hockey fan and it's a great thing to be able to support the team. I think you learn a lot about life through hockey and it creates good men who go on to achieve a lot in other areas of society. We've had 20 years — an amazing run — and I have so much fun here every year. Hopefully, it won't stop."
"Thank you so much," said Knight. "We really appreciate it and the money will be put to good use."
According to Pat Metge, one of the people on the organizing committee for the tournament, more than $375,000 has been donated to Castlegar's minor sports teams and social agencies during the 21 years lifespan of the event. He said they were happy to put remaining tournament funds towards the Rebels.
The tournament started as the Jim Young Red Cross Charity Golf Tournament, in honour of the former BC Lions player and Sandman Hotel manager, before being named after Travis Green.
Green played with five different NHL teams during his career and is now assistant general manager and assistant coach with the WHL Portland Winterhawks.
Also donated from tournament organizers, and finding a permanent home on the grounds of the Castlegar Golf Club & RV Park, is "The Golfer"; a bronze and wrought iron sculpture created by Ossamede Obazee for Castlegar Sculpturewalk.