BERWICK, N.S. — Thirty-six teams will tee off Aug. 2 at Berwick Heights in the 25th Annual Apple Tree Golf Classic in support of Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre.
“We are one of the longest running charity golf events in the Valley,” says Barry Morse, the Apple Tree Golf Classic committee chairman.
Morse, who played in the very first tournament, says it was easier to attract teams and sponsors in the early days because there was far less competition compared to today.
“There are so many great causes out there looking to the community for support and charity golf tournaments are happening every week through the summer,” he said.
Morse notes the committee has worked for many months to source new sponsors, reconnect with former sponsors and teams, and is excited to have filled the team roster weeks before the event.
“We have 10 new teams giving a nice mix of new and former golfers, and close to 40 sponsors.”
Phil Warren was the administrator at Kings Rehab when the foundation was formed. Now retired, Warren is entering a team in the anniversary event and is pleased to see the Apple Tree Golf Classic has continued.
He says the original goal was to hold an event to raise $10,000 a year to offset costs of special client projects and programs that might not otherwise be funded through provincial monies.
Kevin Roop worked with the foundation for 17 years. He says securing a sponsor such as Pharmasave in the early days was important in establishing the event.
Roop credits Bill Wilson, who served as chair of the golf committee for 10 years, for helping to get support from the business community. Dave Hopper, another early member of the foundation’s board, says the tournament has always been well run and reasonably priced.
Morse says the foundation is thrilled to have a former sponsor, Frasers Pro HomeCentre, return for 2019 as the tournament’s presenting sponsor. Other long-time sponsors such as Kings Mutual, Annapolis Valley Radio (AVR/Magic 94.9), Foster’s Fire & Safety, MCT and SystemCare continue to provide support.
While the foundation does do other small fundraisers, the annual tournament is where the majority of monies are generated.
Some of the projects funded over the years include computers for the client learning and technology lab, a special table saw and commercial oven for the Plank Industries Service Centre, furnishings, fitness equipment, accessible vehicles, walking paths and gardens.
In 2015, the foundation provided $50,000 in start-up money to open the House of Sprouts Greenhouse, operated by the centre’s Lifestyles program.
Morse says the 25th anniversary tournament is fittingly named in memory of F. Wayne Morgan, one of the founding directors of the Apple Tree Foundation and former chair. Morgan passed away in 2018 and his family will be in attendance Aug. 2.
The Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre provides care and support to some 200 adults and youth with physical, cognitive, mental health and social challenges. The centre is located in Waterville with another 10 community homes in the area.
