Willow Park Charity Golf Classic
About the Classic:
The Willow Park Charity Golf Classic began with a simple idea . . . a belief in the importance of giving back to the community, of supporting worthwhile causes on behalf of the Club and its members.
Each year, the Classic committee members partner with the Recipient Charity prior to the tournament, visiting them on site and getting to know them — seeing first-hand the individuals impacted by the proceeds of the tournament.
One hundred percent of the proceeds raised through cash donations and the live and silent auctions go to the charity. The impact of what the tournament does strikes profoundly for everyone — from the sponsors and participants who so generously give, to the committee members and volunteers who work so hard to put the tournament together. It’s a proud collective effort. Thank you!
For over 35 years, since 1988, through the generosity of Willow Park directors and members, and through the support of sponsors, players and volunteers, the Willow Park Charity Golf Classic has donated over $12.7 million to Calgary charities. The 2024 proceeds from the Willow Park Golf Charity Classic will support Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS).
About PADS:
Changing Lives. One Dog at a time.
Established in 1987, Pacific Assistance Dogs Society has been breeding, raising, training, and placing life-changing assistance dogs for nearly four decades. These amazing dogs support people living with disabilities and community care professionals by partnering them with certified assistance dogs.
PADS places dogs in 5 categories:
- MOBILITY SERVICE DOGS - Matched with individuals with physical disabilities, Mobility Service dogs open and close doors, push elevator and crosswalk buttons, turn lights on and off and can even provide balance and stability skills.
- PTSD SERVICE DOGS - Highly trained to support First Responders and Military Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD or Complex PTSD) these dogs provide wellness and social reintegration through highly trained physical, calming, and grounding skills.
- HEARING DOGS - Trained to alert their deaf or hard of hearing partners to a variety of sounds such as door knocks, doorbells, telephone rings, timers, and smoke alarms—Hearing Dogs can even alert to a baby’s cry or the name of their partner being called.
- ACCREDITED FACILITY DOGS - Accredited Facility Dogs are trained to assist community care professionals where there would be physical, social or emotional improvement. These dogs work in justice, education and health/wellness roles supporting vulnerable populations.
- VERY IMPORTANT PETS - Well trained pets that provide loving companionship to children or adults with physical or developmental disabilities.
PADS has operated in Calgary for the past 23 years. There are currently over 100 individuals in the Calgary region waiting for one of our life-changing dogs.
The PADS Calgary Training Centre Expansion Project represents this next transformative step allowing us to increase the number of accredited service dog placements in the region by 150% or more.
How is this achieved?
PADS meets a diversity of community support priorities through strong leadership, industry-leading training staff, a dedicated community of volunteers and of course through our donors and corporate partners.
Our community of volunteers are some of the most dedicated individuals we know - some of whom volunteer 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year raising our PADS pups and caring for advanced training dogs.
PADS is Canada’s first fully accredited member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI), certifying us a leader in assistance dog training, and guaranteeing the highest standards of programming and care for our clients.
PADS’ training program has more than 220 dogs each year in various stages of training.
PADS impact in Calgary and in Alberta is significant.
PADS has operated in Calgary for the past 23 years. In 2016 they opened their first training facility in Calgary to accommodate their growing puppy-raising community as well as an advanced training program - leading to increased numbers of certified teams. The demand for accredited service dogs has increased significantly. Each year more than 100 individuals in the Calgary region apply for one of our life-changing dogs.
“In 2004 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Over the years this disease had progressed to the point where I couldn’t walk straight, would stagger, and tended to veer to the left. People would stare and it was very embarrassing for me. With PADS Groovy, we walk a straight line, if I veer, he pulls me back to straight and helps me to balance. I am so thankful and blessed to have Groovy. My gratitude is endless and emotional.” – Rhonda, PADS Mobility Client, Calgary, AB
What does your support of the Willow Park Charity Golf Classic mean to PADS?
PADS is poised to take the next step to grow our operations and serve the growing demand for assistance dogs in the Calgary area. The expansion of PADS Calgary is an important next step in the life of the organization. To increase capacity, all aspects of PADS operations must grow: staff, volunteers, puppies and dogs, and training space; allowing them to increase the number of accredited service dog placements in the region by 150% or more.
Your support helps PADS further change lives of those with disabilities or vulnerable populations – one dog at a time!
PADS is proud to partner with the Willow Park community to fund the renovations and accessibility upgrades of our recently leased Calgary Training Center, which will house our Puppy Academy Program, staff offices, volunteer workspaces, outdoor green space, and our Advanced Training Wing which will be named the “Willow Park Advanced Training Wing”.
To learn more about PADS Calgary, please visit pads.ca
Get involved in the Charity Golf Classic
- Donate: The Classic committee welcomes items for the Live and Silent Auction valued above $250.
- Sponsor: A variety of sponsorship levels are available. Stay tuned to our social media, information on sponsorship for 2024 is coming soon!
- Play: The playing field for the Classic is full. Please contact Jennifer Davison to be placed on the waiting list.
- Volunteer: To volunteer on the Committee or during the event contact Jennifer Davison.
Willow Park Charity Golf Classic Recipient Application Process
Our 2024 application will be coming soon, please check back here or follow us on social media where we will communicate when the application is available.
Charity Classic Committee
Jennifer Davison
Chair
Eileen Anderson
Directors' Representative
Don Bannerman
Treasurer / Selection Committee / Sponsors Day
Katrina Bradley
Selection Committee / Governance
Linda Gagne
On-Course Food / Sponsors' Day
Shawna McGovern-Burke
Volunteers / Governance
Lisa Streu
Secretary / Selection Committee
Jerry Sturko
Sponsorship / Signage
Rob Ward
Media / Marketing
Diana Wennerstrom
Auctions Coordinator / Selection Committee
Cal Wenzel
Sponsorship
Wayne Fairbairn
WP Operations Manager and Executive Professional
Stu Chan
WP Head Golf Professional
Herb Hardowa
WP Food Services
Margaret Pigeon
WP Management
Audited Financial Statements:
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Recipients of the Charity Classic
2023 YW Calgary $420,000
2022 CUPS Calgary $610,000
2021 Calgary Reads $505,000
2019 Pacekids Programs $445,000
2018 Calgary Counselling Centre $700,000
2017 Children’s Hospital Foundation Kid Sim Program $433,000
2016 Distress Centre Calgary $410,000
2015 Fresh Start Recover Centre $520,000
2014 Calgary Meals on Wheels $572,000
2013 Impact Society of Calgary $499,000
2012 The Alex Youth Health Centre $531,000
2011 Bethany Care Society $535,000
2010 Kids Cancer Care Foundation, Camp Kindle $450,000
2009 Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (ARBI) $490,000
2008 Calgary Homeless Foundation $485,000
2007 Renfrew Educational Services $490,000
2006 Calgary Land Trust / Habitat for Humanity $600,000
2005 Discovery House / Calgary Foundation $505,000
2004 Rotary Challenger Park / Calgary Foundation $535,000
2003 Calgary Foundation $500,000
2002 Hospice Calgary / Calgary Foundation $400,000
2001 The Vocational & Rehabilitation Research Institute / Calgary Foundation $350,000
2000 Woods Homes / Calgary Foundation $325,000
1999 Salvation Army Children's Village $280,000
1998 Alberta Adolescent Recovery Center $250,000
1997 Epilepsy Association of Calgary $135,000
1996 Calgary Urban Project Society $125,000
1995 Canadian National Institute for the Blind $125,000
1994 William Roper Hull Child & Family Services $100,000
1993 Alberta Lung Association, Calgary Division $90,000
1992 S.T.A.R.S. Rescue Ambulance $90,000
1991 Juvenile Diabetes Association $60,000
1990 Illetis & Colitis Association $55,000
1989 Make a Child's Dream Come True $35,000
1988 Crime Stoppers $25,000
Total $12.2 million
