Giroux memorial tournament benefiting crisis fund

By Greg Price
Taber Times
gprice@tabertimes.com

The memory of family lives on at the upcoming Paul and Bernice Giroux ‘We Have Not Forgotten’ Memorial Golf Tournament, which goes this Saturday at the Taber Golf Club.

With both Bernice and her husband Paul working for a school division, they were able to have their summers off where they took to the links regularly as their love of golf grew. The memorial golf tournament is a fitting venue as the well-known family in town also had the loving couple have their well-known health battles involving Alzheimer’s and organ donation, which the tournament hopes to bring greater awareness to.

“The spirit that radiates from the memories of the time they spent on the course fills my family with pride. We get out there and golf and the stories told to us from friends and families fills us with pride,” said Steph Giroux-Feninger, daughter of Paul and Bernice, and co-organizer of the memorial tournament in their name. “Getting involved in the community was something they loved to do. They would be thrilled that their tournament helps others.”

Now in its third year of existence, the charity golf tournament looks for different local charities to donate its funds to, with this year going to Taber/Vauxhall Victim Services’ crisis fund and an initiative for girls empowerment at W.R. Myers of All About the Base.

“It helps girls see their self worth and it helps with anti-bullying with various guest speakers and activities for the girls to do to bond together,” said Giroux-Feninger. “We all have a common bond where at times we have self-esteem problems.”

Giroux-Feninger had heard from people in the community fears the memorial tournament would be pulled because of the downturn in the economy.

But for Steph, that is the very reason why a tournament like the Paul and Bernice Giroux ‘We Have Not Forgotten’ Memorial Golf Tournament is needed now more than ever.

“With the crisis fund, there’s things like Alzheimer’s and dementia patients who fall all the time and break their glasses. We helped someone who did not have glasses for six months because they had to decide between their medication and their glasses,” said Giroux-Feninger.
“Obviously, you are going to pick the medication first. The crisis fund, we can help people with hotel stays in case of a family emergency. Say you have a fire, yes you have insurance, but that night, what are you going to do? The crisis fund has helped a lot of different needs for families in times of emergency. It covers everything, victims of crime or domestic abuse too.”

The downturn in the economy has had entries slowed for the tournament.

“A lot of our golfers are oil patch, and being laid off, it’s understandable our numbers are lower. I think we are gong to be at about 100 golfers this year. That’s down 68 golfers from last. Last year it filled up in 24 hours,” said Giroux-Feninger. “Numbers are down, but our spirit is not down. Every dollar counts towards a good cause.”

That being said, the giving spirit of the business community and members at large for auction items/door prizes is strong.

“I can’t say enough about how supportive the Taber Golf Club and, the community as a whole and my dad’s friends have been in helping pull this tournament off,” said Giroux-Feninger.
“The support by the business community has been unreal.”

Giroux-Feninger will be taking registrations right up until the day of the event. Anyone interested in participating in the Paul and Bernice Giroux ‘We Have Not Forgotten’ Memorial Golf Tournament can call or text Steph at 403-892-3270.

“In honour of my mom and dad we always promote organ donation and raise awareness about Alzheimer’s with information packages given to golfers,” said Giroux-Feninger.