YORKTON — Rain ponchos and gray skies were no match for the singing and smiles at the York Lake Golf & Country Club this week as the inaugural Hole In Fun Classic took a swing at community inclusion.
The first-ever event, held June 1 and 2, brought together SaskAbilities Day Program participants, local volunteers, and regional businesses for two days of foot golf, driving range practice and camaraderie.
The tournament was born from a simple idea by Chris Yaholnitsky, whose son, Tanner, is a participant in the SaskAbilities Day Program. Knowing Tanner's fondness for soccer golf, Yaholnitsky teamed up with his son to create an inclusive outing for Tanner's peers.
"I was brought to my attention by my wife," Yaholnitsky said. "I thought maybe 10 people, but it was 60-some people that came out."
The two-day event drew 33 golfers on Monday and 30 on Tuesday. While Monday offered cooperative weather, Tuesday brought downpours. Rather than packing up, participants huddled together for a barbecued lunch of burgers, chips and pop, joining their voices to sing for the sun to return.
Crystal Ward, a day program participant, echoed that sentiment, noting she had a blast despite the wet weather. For Ward, the highlight of the event matched her favourite part of the regular day program: "Seeing my friends and having fun."
Beyond organizing the logistics, Yaholnitsky rallied local businesses to sponsor the event entirely, ensuring it was free for the participants to attend. He collected 40 prizes, including T-shirts and hats, alongside fully stocked treat bags for every participant.
Local contributors stepped up significantly to fuel the event.
In addition to the tournament supplies, Yaholnitsky gathered financial donations from community members wanting to support the local organization. The effort raised just over $1,000 to fund future SaskAbilities Day Program activities.
