Friends and family of Charlene “Charlie” Welch started the Charlie’s Angels Golf Tournament in 2013, and 10 years later their fundraising efforts have come to a close with the final tournament taking place last weekend.
Supporters gather at Mark’s 9 Golf Course each July, and donate the proceeds from the tournament to the Prince Albert SPCA because of Welch’s love for animals. Holly Abrey-Hare of Charlie’s Angels said 60 female golfers took part in the 2023 event on July 15, and they were able to donate $26,098. because of it on Tuesday.
Together, Welch’s friends and family have raised more than $10,000 every year and donated it in her memory. In total, they’ve raised more than $140,000 for the SPCA thanks to the event. The group even has their own plaque noting the donations at the SPCA.
“It is with a proud and heavy heart that we announce our greatest total yet at $26,098. It was Wendy Cartier’s vision 10 years ago to host the memorial ladies tournament benefiting the Prince Albert SPCA in memory of our dear friend Charlie. Our goal that first year was to raise $5,000 and we raised $10,000. Over the years, this tournament has taken on a life of its own as most of the women golfing in it did not even know Charlie. It has been a positively great ride,” Abrey-Hare said.
“All good things must come to an end. Our devoted committee would like to thank all of our friends, families, colleagues, golfers, caddies and sponsors that have supported us throughout the years. We are furever grateful. We would like to extend a special shout-out this year to our Golden Paws sponsor, Northern Lights Development Corporation, their generous $2,000 donation allowed us to surpass our $25,000 goal,” Abrey-Hare said.
She thanked Mark’s 9 for going above and beyond the call of duty as host course.
“In the 10 years of our tournament, we have proudly raised a grand total of $175,813.17 and about nine truckloads of gifts in-kind for the fur baby. The words thank you doesn’t seem to be enough, but it’s all that we have so from the bottom of our hearts. thank you so much for all of the support we have received over the years.” Abrey-Hurd said.
Welch passed away from cancer in July 2013. Abrey-Hare explained that there were many reasons why it was time to end the tournament including that most of the golfers did not even know Charlie
“We make it look easy, but it’s a lot of work, 10 years to have a memorial tournament continuing on is amazing. They don’t usually lasts for long. And we’re a devoted group of little old ladies,” she said.
The spirit of Charlie remains around the event.
“She knows what we’ve done. Yeah. Her entire family was at our tournaments on the weekend and she’s always with us. Her spirit, she was such a fun, loving, witty, generous, kind spirit. This little lady with a great big heart and she’s still here,” Abrey-Hare said.
The 60 golfers was more than the 2022 edition but she explained that support has been consistent.
“We have always had the same amount, except for the COVID year. That was the year we could only have 36 golfers and we still made over $10,000 with 36 golfers,”she said.
Abrey-Hare said that the tournament had become a passion and she was in mourning for the last presentation of a cheque.
“And we like to think that we even created some some adoptions as well. Like I know I’ve adopted from the SPCA myself and some other people” Abrey-Hare said.
Abrey-Hare thanked all of the sponsors and people and businesses who donated to the silent auction and Chinese auction. The Prince Albert SPCA also donated to the silent auction.
Along with the monetary donations they also donated truckloads of gifts-in-kind.
Brent MacDonald the President of the SPCA is thankful for the donations each year.
“I’ve been involved with the organization as president for about nine years and this is quite unique to see this money coming to us,” MacDonald said.
“ It’s so helpful for veterinarian costs, food costs, just and operations of the facility, We just can’t say enough and I mean this this time right now is about the girls and Charlie’s Angels and what they’ve done for this organization in 10 years is fantastic. I wish we could say another ten years is coming, but boy, we’re so proud and happy with the results and what happened here,” he added.
MacDonald echoed Abrey-Hare that the fundraising was only one aspect.
“(With) total funds of over $170,000 to the organization and how many people came through the facility because of this golf tournament, the awareness that we do adopt animals like she just expressed is the reason we do get animals adopted at any given time. It’s almost marketing in that sense as well, and that’s what’s very helpful,” MacDonald said.
michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
