The CBCGC committee members recently met to discuss the 2024 scheduled event. The organizers unanimously agreed that the “2024 CBCGC will not take place” this year due to the following prime considerations:

  • Inflation costs for facility rental and food purchases are passed on directly to us. Registration has been held at $50/participant for the past 7 years. This seems to be the cost that our 80 participants have been comfortable with.
  • To keep up with these inflation $$$ it would have been necessary to increase the registration cost. This would inedibly result in reduced participation and subsequently less money generated for donation to the CBFFD partners.
  • The $50 registration cost has basically covered the golfing and food expenses. The money that the CBCGC donate to the CBFFD is generated from the lucky draw tickets and 50/50 sold as a sideline to the event. This annual $$$ amount has been declining each year due to the aforementioned inflation cycle.
  • In previous years, a committee of 8 volunteers has been needed to stage the popular partnership golf event. We only have 4 members who would be returning and the other 4 are retiring, having conflicting commitments.
  • Community volunteers within Craig Bay seem to be on the decline since the Covid experience. Other organizations like the Social Club are experiencing similar lack of volunteers coming forward. Other past annual events have had to fold (Grand Parents Day) for the same reason. Strata councils are also experiencing low interest of participation.
  • Veteran organizers all agree the trend started with Covid and has not improved. Most of the seasoned volunteers serve on multiple CB committees and their numbers are dwindling.
  • Hopefully this will work its way out and we can get back to the good old days. If any group of residents step forward to take on the golf tournament, the remaining members of the committee will help with organizing details and contacts for donations.

A little nostalgia of our annual CB Golf event:

  • Hats off to Dick and Margo Bourbonnais who started and ran the Arrowsmith tournament for 7 years. Upon the Bourbonnais retirement in 2016, the present partnership was formed, consisting of CBCGC for golfing and the CBFFD added as a fund raiser for the fall food drive. This arrangement complemented both committees for golfing and fund raising. In seven years, this great relationship along with community support has contributed $17,310 toward the food drive coffers.
  • The golf 2017 event along with the new partnership with CBFFD was staged at Arrowsmith, site of the previous organizers. In 2020. Arrowsmith was forced to discontinue all tournaments activities because of Covid19. We scrambled to find another venue; Memorial in Qualicum agreed to host the event with strict Covid restrictions in place. By switching, we were able to reduce cost by running consecutive tee off times (4 hours course rental) as opposed to a shotgun start (7 hours course rental). This 3-hour differential is time the course is shut down to clear green fee players for a shotgun. These course shutdown costs are passed on to tournament organizers.
  • Each course had its positive and negative issues. The following year, the 2021 the committee chose Memorial, the most economical venue and cost efficient.
  • Adjustments to the format have been made to the CBCGC over the past 7 years to make participation enjoyable by all, and also keep cost efficiency in mind. The evening social was introduced and held at the clubhouse for sweets and handing out the prizes from the Karen Black Lucky Draw and 50/50. It was a great addition to wrap up the day. On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank both Arrowsmith and Memorial, two great venues to work with over the CB golfing years.
  • In closing, I would like to recognize all of our past committee members and our CBFFD partner who have served the past 7 years. We would also like to thank the businesses that have donated prizes for the Lucky Draw.
  • Also, thank you to all residents who have supported the Craig Bay Charity Golf Classic by participating over the years.

Submitted by Dave Montgomery