Memorial golf tournament returns Aug. 8 for third year of fundraising
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A group of golfers who lost their friend in a workplace accident is honouring his memory in an annual tournament that has raised thousands of dollars for the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation and STARS air ambulance.
Jordan Old — a Red Seal plumber — was seven days shy of this 30th birthday in 2022 when he inhaled the lethal gas hydrogen sulfide while on the job in Brandon. He could not be resuscitated and died eight days later.
Jordan was Bill and Shelly Old’s only son.
Jordan Old died in October 2022 in a work-related incident, seven days before his 30th birthday. His friends have organized a third annual fundraising golf tournament for Aug. 8 at Wheat City Golf Course. (File)
“These guys were really close to Jordan,” Shelly said, describing the group behind the tournament.
“They were a very tight-knit friend group. They came up with the idea and asked us if it would be OK. But never in a million years did we expect 180 of them to all say, ‘I want to golf.’
“The tournament will be a long day, but a very rewarding day at the end.”
She added, her voice breaking with emotion, “If there is such a thing as a reward.”
The Jordan Old Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for Aug. 8 at Wheat City Golf Course, with a banquet and social to follow at Brandon’s Royal Canadian Legion. All proceeds will be directed to two health-care services that mean a lot to Bill and Shelly.
“We’ve asked that the money specifically go to the intensive care unit, because when Jordan was there, they were great with him. And STARS was integral in getting Jordan to Winnipeg,” Shelly said.
The first tournament, in 2023, raised $15,000 for STARS air ambulance. Last year, $27,360 was split between STARS and the hospital foundation.
With the third annual tournament a week away, one of the organizers, Derian Penziwol, said while the goal is to raise money, there’s something else at play.
“We’re very appreciative of everything that we’ve ever raised, because literally we never, ever thought we’d get anything,” said Penziwol, who was friends with Jordan for about 10 years after they met in plumbing school.
“But we don’t just want it to be a money grab about the experience and the day itself.”
The main goal, he said, is to always have a place where Jordan’s friends can come together, have fun and recollect.
“We just don’t want it to be based about the money,” he said. “We want it to be based about the memory.”
Golf was Jordan’s happy place, Penziwol added, and was the one activity that the core group of about six friends could do together, including trips to Alberta.
“He was also a really good baseball player — the best in our friend group,” he said.
“So I think the support for Jordan is from our friends in the sports community wanting to support us, but it also has to do with where the money’s going, and that is hopefully to provide a service that (people) never, ever have to use.”
The $10,000 that was gifted to the BRHC Foundation after last year’s tournament was a significant donation, said Jessica Saler, the foundation’s communications and development co-ordinator.
The organizing committee received a plaque of appreciation during the foundation’s first-ever donor recognition event in January.
“It means a lot to us that they entrust us with these funds to put them where it matters most,” Saler said.
“So it’s definitely something that’s appreciated, and we’re always honoured to be able to do it in memory of someone like Jordan.”
During this year’s tournament, Saler and one of the sponsors will be set up on the golf course to raise additional funds.
“It’s exciting right now because we’re building a new critical care centre (at BRHC) that’s going to have a new ICU in it,” Saler said.
“So it’s really nice to see this fundraiser. The equipment that they’re helping with is going to be in the new space and will have an even bigger impact.”
On tournament day, Shelly said her husband is going to try to do a toast before the shotgun start, but if he can’t, Penziwol will take over the mic.
“We appreciate Jordan’s friends — they truly care and that’s the part that’s beautiful to us,” Shelly said.
“It’s a tough day, but they have so many stories and memories to share and it’s great to hear them.”
» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com
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