Olympic gold medalist Adam Kreek would be the first admit he鈥檚 no Tiger Woods, but his聽limitations on the links didn鈥檛 keep him away from the Victoria Golf Club on Thursday.
The athlete and motivation speaker鈥檚 presence at the ninth annual Power to Golf Charity Classic was a no-brainer, benefiting as it does Power To Be, the outdoor adventure-therapy organization.
This is the adventurer and social entrepreneur whose unsupported rowing trip across the Atlantic Ocean attracted global media coverage, and who also rowed around Vancouver Island, after all.
鈥淕rowing up I was lucky enough to have a father who took me and my brother out canoeing and camping, so I鈥檓 inclined towards outdoor adventure,鈥� said Kreek, whose friend, Olympic triathlon champion Simon Whitfield, introduced him to the organization that since 1998 has inspired youth and families living with barriers or disabilities through nature-based programs that improve social development and life skills.
The 8,000 participants assisted through its adapted programs include people living with mental or physical disabilities, at-risk youths and children on the autistic spectrum.
Last year 1,013 participants benefited from 429聽programs, including Wilderness School, with the support of 5,836 volunteer hours and dozens of community partners.
Thirty-one teams of golfers including leading local philanthropists, athletes and business leaders raised a record-breaking $261,000 on Thursday, bringing to more than $1聽million the tournaments have raised.
鈥淭here are a lot of people who don鈥檛 get the same opportunity for self-actualization you get in nature,鈥� said Kreek.
鈥淭hey create meaningful relationships with these kids and give them that empowerment that comes with challenging yourself in the wilderness. When you go into the wilderness, it has this effect of peeling off the layers and so your raw core is exposed.鈥�
High-profile golfers included Victoria-born Colorado Avalanche defenceman Tyson Barrie, who quipped that being a good hockey player is no guarantee you鈥檒l be a great golfer.
鈥淚t looks similar, the swings, but it鈥檚 very different mechanically, so it鈥檚 something I鈥檝e been working on, but it鈥檚 not going so well,鈥� the boyish NHLer said with a smile.
Executive director Tim Cormode said he鈥檚 continually amazed by how supportive the community has been in helping Power to Be offer inclusive and accessible recreation to youths and families.
鈥淚 think good charity practices can be recession-proof,鈥� he said when asked whether he was concerned about the potential impact of last week鈥檚 stock market crisis.
鈥淭here are still people in need and there are individuals in this country who make that possible. When times are tough, that鈥檚 when you really have to roll up your sleeves and socks.鈥�
He said it鈥檚 gratifying seeing firsthand how Power to Be鈥檚 programs give families who need support but often don鈥檛 know where to turn 鈥渢he resilience to face adversity鈥� and overcome obstacles.
He attributed the organization鈥檚 success to 鈥渧ery good and strong governance鈥� and because 鈥減eople seem to love what we do.鈥�
The golf tournament, which was followed by a private reception emceed by Kreek and media personality Fred Lee at Peter and Ali Gustavson鈥檚 home, the Atrium at Little Oaks, also started a new conversation.
鈥淲e need to find a way to optimize our resources and continue to be nimble,鈥� said Cormode, whose team鈥檚 new strategic vision includes building a home, perhaps on donated or leased land, for Power to Be.
鈥淚t would be a place where health and education are better serviced, a centre that addresses a variety of needs in the community. We鈥檙e just starting to let people know we鈥檙e looking.鈥�
