The annual Georgian College Golf Classic is set to tee off on Monday, May 17 at The Club at Bond Head, a nationally ranked golf course just west of Bond Head.

The Georgian College Golf Classic, one of Simcoe County’s longest-running golf tournaments, has raised more than $730,000 since its inception.

Proceeds from the 23rd annual tournament will go toward Georgian’s awards and scholarships program and the Power of Education Campaign, an initiative to raise $25 million to ensure Georgian programs continue to be better than par for the course.

Specifically, the money will be used to expand areas such as Health Sciences, Engineering Technology and the University Partnership Centre.

The golf tournament has come a long way since its humble beginnings 23 years ago.

The inaugural Georgian College Golf Classic was held at the Springwater Golf Course in 1986. The 50 participants cooked their own steak and potato on an open flame barbecue pit and noshed on coleslaw.

Today the tournament hosts more than 275 players on two world-class golf courses. There are three divisions: men’s, ladies’ and mixed.

Highlights of the day include a gourmet dinner, live and silent auction, entertainment, barbecue or box lunch, a free massage by a Georgian Massage Therapy student, complimentary driving range, participant gift, on-course contests, a $20,000 putting contest and handheld GPS on each golf cart.

Long-time Georgian College Golf Classic Chair Hank Thibideau, Manager, Community Relations and Corporate Events, says one of the biggest challenges in hosting the tournament is finding a venue that can accommodate the growing event.

“We need 36 holes (two golf courses) to run the Classic,” he says.

Having found a new home at The Club at Bond Head, Hank says that securing donors and sponsors in today’s tough economic climate has been difficult as well. But he says the generosity of corporate donors, community sponsors and Georgian employees have helped shore the balance. Staff and student volunteers are also an important part of the event’s continued success.

This year’s fundraising goal is $60,000.

To register, or for more information, visit www.georgianc.on.ca/golf-classic. The site features registration information and more.