Strengthening the athletic endowment

September 23, 2004

Strengthening the athletic endowment

by Keri Irwin

	Kevin Tobin, Chair Dal Golf Classic, drives another perfect shot. (Nick Pearce, 123 Photo)

The 7th annual Dal Golf Classic was another swinging success as 180 golfers descended on Glen Arbour to support varsity athletics at Dalhousie.

Many of the teams had familiar faces, having been involved from the start. This includes the Commerce Amigos, who were one of the winning teams this year and have teed off with the event for the past five years. The Amigos - all Dal Alumni - met while attending Dalhousie and living in Howe Hall. The five-some, captained this year by Ross Miller (BPE '82) and managed by John MacDonald, Director of External Relations with the Faculty of Management, took home the prize for low net score.

David and Diane Bell, the honorary co-chairs of this year's tournament, are both Dalhousie alumni and solid university supporters. They teed off with colleagues, friends, Dal Tigers and alumni to enjoy a fun filled day of golf and another year of fantastic weather. David, a three-time graduate of Dalhousie, is currently an associate professor with the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University. Diane, a graduate of the pharmacy program, has served on numerous boards including Dalhousie's Board of Governors, the Alumni Board and the Black and Gold Club Executive. She was awarded the Pharmacy Alumni of the Year in 2000 and the A. Gordon Archibald Award in 2003 in recognition of her outstanding personal service, commitment and contribution to Dalhousie.

	Athletes are the heart of the tournament, pictured above are three members of the womenÂ’s basketball team. (Nick Pearce, 123 Photo)

This year's event raised a record $35,000 for the Athletic Endowment Fund. Linda Crockett, Director of Global Gifts at Dalhousie, not only hosted a team but was on hand to provide some details on the progress of the campaign. The Athletics Campaign is in the planning stage to raise $3 million for the fund. This endowment fund will allow Dalhousie to offer full tuition scholarships to student athletes - an important step to continue to attract top athletes to our school. The first corporate gift to the campaign from TD Meloche Monnex was announced and celebrated, a generous $100,000 pledge.

The event would not be a success without the hard work and dedication from the organizing committee, the corporate sponsors and the volunteers - including Dalhousie varsity coaches and athletes. The Dal Golf Classic is organized by Dalhousie Athletics and Recreational Services and Dalhousie External Relations and is presented by Molson.

More information about the Dal Golf Classic can be obtained by contacting Kevin Tobin, chair of the event, at 494-1514.