Raising $31,000 for the GI Society
Our twenty golfers last year came from all across the country, including Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and BC, to participate in this amazing event, collectively playing 1,520 holes while enjoying exclusive access to the beautiful Northview golf course. That’s an average of more than four rounds per person!
It was a full day of golf, fun, food, and friendship among people brought together through this event because they care deeply about gastrointestinal issues. Most golfers, volunteers, and donors have a personal connection to someone affected by a serious gastrointestinal condition, such as GERD, Crohn’s disease, or cancer.
GI Society Board member, Jennifer Lowther, chaired the Golf Marathon, encouraging her Sanofi Canada colleagues, friends, and family to support the cause. Our two volunteer photographers, Pierre Fournier and Gabe Pedrosa captured the day’s fun, following our golfers around the green during perfect weather for dawn ‘til dusk golfing, at a comfortable 18°C.
The players relaxed during a fine dining awards presentation while Dr. James Gray, chair of our Medical Advisory Council, explained how the GI Society’s work is of significant value to patients. Dedicated supporter David Miachika again took the top spot for funds raised, followed by Brian Carter, and Gary Fabian, our Montreal-based Executive Director for Quebec and Atlantic Canada. No one played more holes than the remarkable Martin Kendell, who, by playing four balls simultaneously all around the course, reached an unprecedented 216 holes! He was also rewarded with a special prize – the coveted hand-carved Golf Marathon trophy, which he’ll keep at his home or office for six months before returning it to the GI Society. Other ‘number of hole’ stars were Christopher McGrath (175) and Grace McCallen (128).
Golfer Carmen Wyton
For every $750 in donations golfers raised, their names went into a draw for airfare for two anywhere in North America, generously donated by Vision 2000. Carmen Wyton, based in Edmonton with Sanofi, happily received this prize when her name was drawn, exclaiming, “Wow, I never win anything!”
We thank all those who shared in last year’s event – our golfers, donors, volunteers, and everyone who supported us in some way. Everyone received a lovely prize for their efforts and we’re grateful to our generous prize donors: Accent Cruises, Anton’s Pasta, Arts Club Theatre Company, BC Lions Football Club, Bruce Good, Burnaby Village Museum, Cactus Club Restaurants Ltd., Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Casbah Day Spa, Charlie’s Chocolate Factory, Golf Town, H. R. MacMillan Space Centre, Harbour Centre Tower, Highland Pacific Golf, Janssen Canada Inc., Kimberly Skulsky, Kumsheen Rafting Resort, Landmark Sport Group, Marv Jones Honda, Molson Canada, Nintendo of Canada Ltd., Northview Golf & Country Club, Olympic View Golf Club, Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours, Purdy’s Chocolates, Science World, Shoppers Drug Mart, Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver Maritime Museum, and Yogacara Studios.
GI Society President & CEO, Gail Attara
We also offer a special thanks to Janssen Canada Inc., Pfizer Canada Inc., Borden Ladner Gervais, and Sanofi Canada for financial contributions in support of their participating employees.
The next Golf Marathon will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2013, again at beautiful Northview. We are planning for forty participating golfers, who will raise $100,000! Support this very worthy cause and enjoy a fabulous day of golf at the same time.
GI Society's Golf Marathon 
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