Over 250 golfers enjoyed a nice fall round of golf Wednesday during the 10th annual Access Credit Union Charity Golf Tournament. For the second year in a row, the event was held simultaneously at two courses within Access' service area - Minnewasta Golf Course in Morden and Bridges Golf Course in Starbuck. 

Between donations and sponsorships, the tournament raised $120,757 for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, specifically towards child life programming.

"That's improving the quality of life for kids in their care, making sure that they have entertainment, that they have stuffed animals, that they have video games that make their stays a lot more comfortable. A lot more like home because, in some cases, they can be there for a while and we want to make sure that stay is as comfortable for them as possible," said Adam Monteith, Chief Marketing Officer for Access Credit Union. 

"We reached out to our foundation partners, and they say we are by far their biggest donors to their program," he added, noting that's a huge testament to the efforts of the organizing committee, sponsors and all of the golfers that came out."

Over the last two years, the tournament has generated over $233,000 for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. 

"Access has grown, our membership has grown," said Monteith. "We recognize the immense needs of everybody across the communities that we serve and not only were golfers and sponsors coming out to support that, but also taking back an ambassadorship for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, increasing awareness and making sure that the very important stories and the very important patients are recognized, and those stories are retold everywhere they go."

For Monteith, the biggest takeaway from the tournament are those stories. 

"We can talk about the big impacts that we're making, but when it comes right down to it, it's one kid at a time who has their life changed by these investments and these donors and these sponsors and seeing their smiling faces [..] and seeing that we made a significant change in their lives, that's what we do it for."

Those stories include that of Winkler's Pacey Wall who was named this year's Manitoba Child Champion for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

With files from Chris Sumner

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