Hockey players take to golf

(CNS): A family fun and fundraising event, hosted by the Cayman Islands Youth Roller Hockey Club, attracted 30 families (teams) including 60 children, many of whom play in the CI Youth Roller Hockey League at Kings Sports Centre. The golf tournament was a simple, fun 3-ball scramble format which appealed to most players, some of whom actually used hockey sticks to make their shots. In addition to the unconventional equipment, some players wore their favourite hockey jerseys and imitated the famous movie character Happy Gilmore (a washed up hockey player turned professional golfer).

According to a release from the club, teams played 6 holes in addition to longest drive and team putting competitions. Held at Britannia on Friday 27 March, the event was followed by dinner and prize-giving, featuring the always entertaining Master of Ceremonies Andrew Bacon, who volunteered his time and sound equipment for the event.

Hockey player, parent and coach Dave Champoux first had the idea as a way to raise money for the Club. Champoux, also an avid golfer, stated, “We were looking for a novel way to bring many hockey families together for a fun evening as well as raise awareness about youth hockey in the Cayman Islands. The tournament was a huge success as many families got to know each other a little better outside of the usual excitement at their children’s hockey games.”

Champoux organized the event with a great deal of support and assistance from Britannia Golf Professional Dave Johnson, in addition to several volunteers with children in the hockey program, including hockey parents Sharon Galloway, Nigel Windsor, Robert Cummings, Christine Maltman and Nicola Agemian. Following the tournament, Agemian said, “This was one of the best family fun events I have ever attended and it is quite ironic that the sport of youth roller hockey brought us together to play golf. This definitely has the markings of an annual event, only if Golf Pro Dave Johnson is willing to host 60 children and their parents again.”

Tournament Results

Event Winners
1st Prize (Team) Derksen/Messer & Stainrod Families
2nd Prize (Team) McGregor & Ribbins Families
7u Girls – Long Drive Competition Kendall Brooks
7u Boys – Long Drive Competition Daniel Champoux
10u Girls – Long Drive Competition Jayde Solomon
8u Boys – Long Drive Competition Joe Purton
9u Boys – Long Drive Competition Alex Agemian
14u Girls – Long Drive Competition Emily Ribbins
12u Boys – Long Drive Competition Chris Messer
Men’s Long Drive Competition Dave Champoux
Women’s Long Drive Competition Glenna Black

There were also prizes for team putting and best Happy Gilmore impersonation. Families putted using golf putters, hockey stick and pool cues! David Walker got an honourable mention for his golf course billiard skills when he sunk a putt from 15 feet with a pool cue. Tynan Klein won the Happy Gilmore contest by using a hockey slapshot-style golf swing on every drive. All in all, the event was a huge success both in terms of fundraising but more importantly by bringing so many families together for a fun and relaxing game of golf.

The CI Youth Roller Hockey Club is a non-profit group comprised of volunteers, mostly parents who have children in the youth hockey league. The club’s mission is to develop and promote youth roller hockey in the Cayman Islands, including the opportunity to participate in recreational roller hockey and to provide community based programs which allow a player to participate in an environment for fun, physical exercise and fair play. The club insists on good sportsmanship, correct and proper behavior on and off the rink, respect for authority and team play among all players, coaches, managers, members and parents associated with the Club. Funds raised by the club, including the proceeds of the golf tournament will be earmarked for coach and player development programs, such as visiting coaches, training equipment and other skills oriented materials.

The CI Youth Roller Hockey Club would like to thank all parents and children for their participation in this event (which the Club hopes to host annually). Club co-founder and Treasurer Patrick Agemian said, “The club has been incredibly fortunate to have a volunteer parent base that has stepped in and supported our children through these early years of their hockey skill development and more importantly, the life skills that are acquired through participation in this ultimate team sport. We are now gettingto a level, where we would like to augment parents’ coaching abilities as well as encourage other parents to get involved.”

For more information about the Cayman Islands Youth Roller Hockey Club, how to become a sponsor and/or volunteer please contact David Champoux pampoux@hotmail.com or Christine Maltman zeppelin@candw.ky

The Club works closely with Cayman Sports Authority which is a sister company to Kings Sports Centre where all league games are played. For more information about the league and other sports, go to www.caymanactive.com or contact Kings Sports Centre Athletics Director Ray Singh on ray_singh@candw.ky.