Olympic feel at Charity Classic

Written By SCOTT TAYLOR

Mother Nature gave it her best as golfers teed it up at the Glen Eagle Charity Classic in support of Bethell Hospice Foundation Aug. 10.

Now in its fifth year, the Charity Classic featured 18 holes with shared power carts, a tasty barbecue lunch, cocktail reception, delicious four-course dinner, a fabulous silent auction, and great prizes. All proceeds from the tournament benefit Bethell Hospice Foundation.

Along for the fun was local girl — and national sports icon — Rosie MacLennan, the two-time gold medalist in gymnastics trampoline. To date, she's the only Canadian to defend and Olympic gold medal.

“I'm here with Fines Lincoln,” she said. “They've supported me for the last six years so when they invite me out to an initiative that they're supporting, I love to come along.”

She also brought along her medals and a work ethic that would make anybody groan. To be the champion she is, MacLennan trains six days a week, usually two or three times a day.

“I'm still training, working towards Tokyo 2020 and our Olympic selection internationally starts in February of next year. There's a lot that goes into it and there's a lot that you can't control, but I'm doing everything in my power to be the best I can in 2020 and leading up to it. My coach and I have already sat down and thought about what it might take to win again and we're working towards it.”

Meanwhile, Bob Fines was also enjoying the sunny day along with the thought of helping a good cause.

“We've been involved with Bethell for well over five years,” he said. “We made a commitment years ago to be involved in the community, so this event and others by other organizations, if we possibly can, we're pleased to support them.”

He added he's proud to be associated with someone like MacLennan, who also gives back as much as she can.

“We've had an association with Rosie since the London Olympics. We have a good arrangement. We've been supplying Rosie with transportation to get her to and from her training, to get her through university and complete her master's program and she's been an excellent goodwill ambassador for our brand.”

The Glen Eagle Charity Classic tournament sponsors included Scotiabank – Main Street Brampton Branch, Ri-Go Lift, Yale Industrial Trucks Ltd., AFA Forest Products Inc., Audi of Mississauga, RBC Dominion Securities, and, of course, Fines Ford Lincoln, as well as a wide array of hole sponsors.

Bethell Hospice is the only residential hospice serving Caledon, Brampton and Dufferin County. Bethell Hospice also provides several Community Programs throughout Caledon and Brampton.