If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix a community that cares, a golf course full of both seasoned pros and “once-a-year” golfers, and a BBQ that literally tried to upstage the event—well, you get the Rotary Club of Hamilton’s 2025 Golf Classic.
This year wasn’t just any year. For the first time, we merged the Children’s Fund Golf Tournament with the Rotary Golf Classic, joining forces with our friends at Corus Media—Y108 and Energy 95.3. Add in Stantec as our title sponsor, a lineup of amazing hole sponsors, and more than 105 golfers, and the result was nothing short of spectacular.
And the best part? Together, we raised over $30,000—that’s more than double last year’s total—with every dollar going directly to children’s programs right here in Hamilton and the surrounding region.
The Heart of the Day
The real magic of our tournament wasn’t just in the fundraising—it was in the energy.
- Paul Gordon quarterbacked this event like it was the Super Bowl, and yes, he won. From planning to execution, Paul was the steady hand that made the whole day possible.
- Past President Alex Moroz turned grill-master in the September heat and managed to extinguish a BBQ fire before the fire department even arrived. (Note to self: don’t let a grill sit idle for 12 months again.)
- Heather welcomed every golfer with the kind of warmth that made the day feel less like a tournament and more like a family reunion.
- Anita and Lisa sold passports like seasoned pros and made sure no one missed their chance at prizes.
- Dr. Joan Heels bravely resurrected the “kissing hole” fundraiser—something we couldn’t even imagine during the pandemic.
- Shelley baked enough treats to power every golfer through 18 holes and then turned around and donated part of her sales back to the Children’s Fund.
Everywhere you looked, you saw teamwork, laughter, and generosity in action.
The Golf… or Something Like It
Here’s the beauty of our tournament: whether you know your way around a course or only know the words “par, eagle, and birdie” (not necessarily in that order), you’re welcome here.
It’s a best-ball shotgun format, which means no pressure, no judgement, and lots of laughs. The pros got their moment to shine, and the rest of us? Well, we gave the golf balls some serious “exercise.”
And let’s not forget the prizes—everything from tickets to see the Maple Leafs to an array of phenomenal auction items that had people bidding with smiles (and maybe a touch of competitive spirit).
Media Meets Mulligans
Thanks to our partnership with Corus Radio, the buzz was everywhere. Live broadcasts on Y108 and Energy 95.3 spread the excitement beyond the course, and having their on-air personalities swinging clubs alongside us was a highlight in itself. (Let’s just say some of them have talents better suited to a microphone than a driver.)
Looking Ahead
This wasn’t just about golf—it was about giving kids a brighter future. With 100% of proceeds going straight to local children’s programs, the impact of this one day will be felt all year long.
And with momentum like this, 2026 is already shaping up to be bigger, better, and maybe with fewer BBQ flare-ups.
So, whether you’d like to sponsor, volunteer, or play, we’d love to have you join us next year. No matter your skill level, there’s a place for you at our tournament—and plenty of laughs to go around.
Adam Oldfield
President 2025
Rotary Club of Hamilton