NO fewer than 136 golfers, a full field, took to the course on Thursday, March 3, at Reading Country Club and with their support and the support of various sponsors, R119 000 was raised in aid of Stepping Stone Hospice and Care Services.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the response and willingness to participate in our inaugural golf day,” says Tersia Burger, CEO of Stepping Stone Hospice. Tersia had the honour of hitting the first ball off the tee and thereby declaring the day open.
All funds raised through this effort will now go towards the proposed addition of a further 505sqm to the hospice’s in-patient unit in New Market Park. It will include a unit for adolescents. During the prize-giving dinner, a video compiled by SCS Architects on the new building was shown to the guests.
“The need for hospice services in our communities are growing by the day and a mere three years ago our in-patient unit only consisted of three wards. Today it has eight wards, with a further four to be added,” Tersia said. The 12 wards will all be housed in the new building and will all feature en-suite bathrooms and sliding doors, allowing patients access to the gardens.
The format for play on the day was a betterball stableford. Walking away with first prize were Derek Harrison and Brendon Tickle on 52pts. Apart from winning beautiful prizes, they were the recipients of the Vicky Bruce Floating Trophy, a trophy dedicated to the memory of Tersia’s late daughter, Vicky. Vicky passed away three years ago and was cared for by a hospice nurse in her last days. Vicky became the inspiration for Tersia to start a hospice facility in Alberton.
Winners of the men’s longest drive and ladies’ longest drive each received the Chantel Victor trophy. Chantel passed away at the age of 22 years in the in-patient unit, and her parents, Belinda and Pieter Victor, dedicated these trophies to her memory.
