Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce
Independence Day Golf Tournament

By John Pidkowich

The Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce held its successful Second Annual Independence Day Golf Tournament at Club Link’s  Caledon Woods Golf Course in Bolton, Ont., on August 23, a day ahead of Ukraine’s Independence celebrations. With plenty of worthy charity golf tournaments to support and to enjoy a fun round of playing holes on the link, the CUCC tournament attracted nearly 120 players to sign up for the tee-off in “best ball format”, a huge increase from 69 registrants in the previous year’s tournament .  Many of the players are well-known supporters of the Ukrainian community and it was encouraging to see new participants showing their golf talent, express keener interest in their Ukrainian Canadian heritage while having fun learning more about current historic events unfolding in today’s Ukraine. A great “vote of confidence” goes to the CUCC tournament organizing committee comprised of John Iwaniura, Bob Leshchyshen, Eugene Masney, Bob Matys and Les Salnick.

Some 150 Golfers and Dinner guests sought refuge from the heat of daylong play outdoors and traffic snarls. Stories of swings and shots were shared over cool refreshments and a fine tournament dinner held at UNF Toronto’s Trident Banquet Hall. The following awards were presented by category: First Place Men’s Team – Michael Masney, Stephan Masney, David Pimentel and Eugene Masney; First Place Women’s Team – Gloria Chewchuk, Oksana Rewa, Doris Anne Smilsky and coach Val Butrico; Men’s Closest to the Pin Hole – Roman Myndiuk; Women’s Closest to the Pin Hole– Ola Iwaniura; Men’s Longest Drive Hole – Don Hawkshaw and; Women’s Longest Drive Hole – Joyce Mintzer. Everyone shared in the many prizes including 50/50 Draw winner Slawko Bodykewych and Raffle Draw winner Charlotte Jantzen. Generous Gold level sponsorship came from Caravan Logistics, Roots & Images, Danco Logistics, Shelton Canada Corp., Northland Power, Ukrainian Credit Union, Buduchnist and So-Use Credit Unions, Right at Home Realty, Bell Mobility, Acuity Funds, Jones DesLauriers Insurance, Rodan Energy, Metrospot Marketing, R.R. Matys Insurance and Primus Exhibitions. In addition to numerous Hole Corporate Sponsors, and “hole-in-one” challenge, many fine prizes were drawn, including a pair of Toronto Maple Leafs gold seats donated by Metrospot, and the exciting “from the floor” auction bidding that ensued.

Zenon Potichnyj, CUCC President, welcomed all the golfers and guests and introduced the special guest speaker from the Government of Alberta, the Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, Associate Minister, Capital Planning and Chair of the Advisory Council on Alberta Ukraine Relations (ACAUR). Zwozdesky is a strong and dedicated member of the Ukrainian community and well-known by many as Music Director and composing arranger for Edmonton’s Shumka Dancers (25 years) and Cheremosh Dancers (15 years) and Winnipeg’s Rusalka Dancers for 10 years. He has been the Executive Director of the Ukrainian Canadian Centennial Commission and Executive Producer of the centenary concert show in 1991. Zwozdesky and his wife Khrystya felt great attending the event and he extended best wishes from Alberta Premier, the Hon. Ed Stelmach, the first premier of Ukrainian descent in Alberta’s history. Greetings were also conveyed from colleague the Hon. Guy Boutilier, Alberta’s Minister of International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations, under whose ministry the UCAUR falls.

In his informative talk, packed with enthusiasm, Zwozdesky staged his presence as a reciprocal visit to the CUCC’s visit to Alberta earlier in the year, hosted by John Chomiak in Edmonton. During that speaking engagement and presentation about the ACAUR, the discussion that followed brought to light several areas of mutual interest between ACAUR and CUCC which Zwozdesky briefly spoke about, in Toronto.  He presented some statistics about Ukraine’s economy, other facts on activities between Ukraine and Alberta and then further elaborated on the ACAUR, primarily as its Chairman, as well as, an Albertan who is proud of his Ukrainian heritage.

On the significance of gathering together on the cusp of Ukraine’s 1991 Independence, Zwozdesky pointed out that everyone agrees that Independence Day celebrations are wonderful. However, he went on to say “We all know how potentially fragile this is and that we must continue to be proactive to ensure that: Ukraine’s independence remains secure; Ukraine’s fledgling wings of free enterprise remain fortified; Ukraine’s democratic reforms flourish; Ukraine’s freedom be respected; and that Ukraine’s “can-do” spirit and its determination to succeed remain strong.” Zwozdesky emphasized “we must” and stated “If we can help Ukraine in all these quests, we will take great comfort in knowing that the future for “Nasha Ukraina” is very bright indeed – znachyt’sya, mrii nashykh bat’kiv budut’ spovnenni nareshti I na viky!”

Well on its way to becoming another much anticipated annual summer event, next year’s Independence Day Golf tournament - by word of mouth - should attract more sponsors and an even greater number of registrants who enjoy golfing and have fun at it, support the recognition of a milestone event for Ukraine and do not forget and want to learn more about their Ukrainian heritage.  Regarded by many as one of the best tournaments around, participants walked away with a “great feeling” and greater confidence to work on their golf swings and scores for next year.