The Brind’Amour/Nugent-Hopkins CF Golf Classic Dinner and Auction celebrates 25th anniversary raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada
AUGUST 18, 2023
This past June, over 400 supporters and community members including 144 golfers gathered to celebrate the 25th Rod Brind ‘Amour/Ryan Nugent-Hopkins CF Golf Classic held at Storey Creek Golf Club in Campbell River, British Columbia followed by a dinner and auction held at the local Sportsplex. The event, held in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, surpassed all expectations, raising well over a record-breaking $175,000.
The annual golf tournament included a golfer-wide tee off and four hole-in-one competitions, featuring NHL Carolina Hurricanes Coach Rod Brind ‘Amour and Edmonton Oilers Centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who put their golf skills on display. Following a day on the course, the participants gathered at the Sportsplex for an evening of camaraderie and charity, including dinner, and silent auction and live auction that further drove the fundraising efforts. Just the event auction itself raised over an amazing $93,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s research efforts and support.
During the evening program, Rod took a trip down memory lane, recalling the tournament’s beginning over 20 years ago. He recounted how a heartfelt letter from a young girl, Kim Wood (nee Black), a cystic fibrosis fighter, inspired him to start the annual golf classic in the mid-1990s.
Kim’s journey with the disease inspired the inception of the golf classic two decades ago, and her spirit has motivated others to join the cause. Wood expressed her heartfelt gratitude to attendees and supporters, highlighting the impact the tournament has had on her life. “When we first started this, my life expectancy was only about 19,” she shared emotionally, now being 41 years old married with a child of her own. “Rods, Ryans and the community’s support for this event gave me hope and a sense of purpose,” Over the continuous years of support, Wood has looked up to Brind ‘Amour as an “older brother”, emphasizing how incredible it is for someone of Rod’s profession to actively engage with a small-town golf tournament every year.
Joining both on stage was Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, whom Rod described as the “wow factor” that joined the golf classic years ago to maintain the tournament’s energy. Nugent-Hopkins, current centre for the Edmonton Oilers, engaged in a live Q&A session led by celebrity MC Chris Hebb, current BCHL commissioner. “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to give back while spending time with my family. The people here are incredibly down-to-earth, and I meet so many amazing individuals every year,” said Brind ‘Amour.
The success of the 25th Rod Brind’Amour/Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Golf Classic for Cystic Fibrosis Canada is a testament to the power of unity, compassion, and community. Over the previous 25 years, the annual golf classic has raised over $2 million for Cystic Fibrosis Canada supporting children and adults with cystic fibrosis, just like Kim Wood. Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Rod Brind’Amour and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins gratefully thanks the organizing committee, volunteers and sponsors that have gone above and beyond throughout 25 years to coordinate such a special and substantial event.
