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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2015-07-29, Page 3The Seaforth Country Classic recognizes diabetes The golf tournament has raised $15,000 for the Canadian Diabetes Association Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor Two common symptoms of diabetes, extreme tired- ness and blurry vision, did not prevent a Shelbourne man from winning the crown a second time at the Seaforth Country Classic. This feeling is familiar, said David Markle, the 2013 and now 2015 Seaforth Country Classic champion. He and more than fifty golf- ers were cut down to 22 after two days. Last Saturday marked the third day of golf- ing, which meant a cham- pion would be capped. Not only would they be crowned, it also came with a brand new black blazer and a $10,000 life-size cheque. "This is a special place, I played here my first pro event in 2009," said Markle. "It's a lot like home" Markle, who is from an Ontario town an hour and a half away from Seaforth, said he understands what it's like to be from a smaller community. "It's a town of 6,000 people, we have a little home-made course where everyone takes pride into," said Markle. The respect he has for his golf club was the same given to the Seaforth Country Club. He and Winnipeg's Eric Hawerchuk being in the last group both walked over to Seaforth's golf pioneer Ken Doig Sr. and the rest of the Doig family to thank them. A mutual respect between both golfers and the golf course as a whole was witnessed. Markle maintained the lead pretty much during the whole tour- nament golfing 15 under par and Hawerchuck was not too far behind with 8 under. "I stayed patient, I birdied one, then Eric and I both got into some trouble, I got a tri- ple bogey and he made a dou- ble bogey,' said Markle. " It would have been easy to let that bother you for the rest of the day." This game became more than just any game, because a lot of it was for a good cause. This victory is that much bet- ter, explained Markle, who was diagnosed with diabetes Feb.19, 2011. The Seaforth Country Clas- sic tournament is geared towards fundraising and cre- ating awareness about diabe- tes. The group disease known as diabetes affects how your body uses blood. The tourna- ment has fundraised approxi- mately $15,000 to the Cana- dian Diabetes Association in the last two years. "My pancreas doesn't work, so every time I eat, I have to take a shot of insulin, I take about four needles a day," said Markle. Kyle Skinner, who lives with Type 1 diabetes, is the Seaforth Country Club assis- tant golf pro. He said, "There Shaun Gregory Huron Exposito Bryan DeCorso gives some tips to a younger golfer. He and several other professional golfers had a friendly tournament before the Pro -Am. are very few people that don't know somebody who is effected by diabetes:' "Golf's a good fit for dia- betes," said Skinner. "It's all about having an active life- style, getting out, walking getting some exercise and it shows kids around here that it doesn't stop you from being a professional." According to the Govern- ment of Canada website, Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest rising diseases in Canada with more than 60,000 new cases every year. This marks the eighth year of the tournament and now Markle will be $10,000 richer and the Canadian Diabetes Association will be receiving a $7,500 cheque from the Seaforth Country Club Clas- sic tournament. The children had the opportunity to golf with the pros hours before the Pro -Am tournament. One of the activities was shooting out the sand. The winner of the Seaforth Country Classic David Markle shakes hands with Ken Doig Sr. David Markle puts on the winners jacket last Saturday. Pros have fun with the kids before the Pro -Am Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor The day before the Sea - forth Country Club Classic, the pros paid homage to the youngsters. A group of professional golfers joined together last Wednesday on a bright and sunny morning to show the junior golfers a thing or two on the course. The friendly tournament matched up the golfers with other kids fol- lowed by trick shots over tarps, putting challenges and several other fun games. "They're the ones that will grow into the game, if they see some pros playing and it gives them some ambition, it will make them want to play," said Matthew McMahon. Matthew McMahon, 30, is one of the golfers competing in the tournament. At one point during the balloon popping part of the junior competition, him and the other golfers instead of using clubs, started throwing the golf balls at the targets. The golfers were laughing with the other children and having fun, at one point McMahon could not have luck with his strong hand so he switched to his opposite side. "Growing up I played Hockey left handed and I can switch hit in baseball, it wasn't working right handed, so I thought I would try to pop the balloon with the left, that didn't work out either," said McMahon. Eric Hawerchuk, 26, son of retired legendary NHL hockey star Dale Hawerchuk said this is not only good for the kids, but it bring the community together. "You come out here, you know everybody's excited that the pros are here, a lot of times they're shoeing the pros away, so it's nice to be out where they want you to be," said Hawerchuk. After the children packed their golf bags up and ate hot-dogs the Pro -Am tour- nament also made way. The tournament had 16 teams of four including one pro golfer per team. Carolanne Doig, general manager at Seaforth Golf and Country Club, said this is how the amateurs of the sport are noticed and receive the notoriety they deserve to I:LNAMV:itWOM precede to the next level in their golfing career. "You don't know where these kids are going and when you look back, you never knew where you were going, you've only knew where you been," said Doig. "For us it's fun to be able to watch TV and see James Hahn, Graham DeLaet and Brad Fritsch. Nobody knew who they were, now every- body knows who they are, we are a steeping stone to the future:" Ready To Receive Your 2015 Wheat Crops Trucking available — All variety's welcome [111.11111- 1111111,1111.11, III•111I1.1111J1[,IIui[, S[III[ Proud to be Serving Mitchell & Area since 2007 VELB, Ff iN 5 LTU Contact Ron 519-301-3408 vdbgrains.ca LIAM EltllhhI 11111 ILILM Located I Mile West of Mitchell on Hwy 8