Enji-maawinjidiyaang holds inaugural golf tournament

By Leslie Knibbs

ELLIOT LAKE – Calling all golfers in the area from Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury, hear this: The Indigenous Friendship Centre Enji-maawinjidiyaang in Elliot Lake, is holding its inaugural golf tournament at Stoneridge Championship Golf Course on Thursday, September 26.

According to Enji-maawinjidiyaang’s Interim Executive Director Elizabeth Richer, “This tournament is more than a game — it’s a gathering of people, cultures, and communities. It’s a chance to walk together in friendship, to support healing, and to take real steps toward meaningful reconciliation. We need teams to play, sponsors to stand with us, and community members to show up — because every swing, every sign, and every smile helps build a future rooted in respect, unity, and hope,”  said Richer.

The tournament begins at 10 am with a maximum of 18 teams showing their skills to elevate their game and ‘embrace the greens’ in pursuing their fairway freedom. Entry fees for the tournament are $600 per team and $150 for an individual player. Aside from registered teams, individual players will be gathered together, making up teams with some friendly people to play with, according to organizer Lee-Simpson Johnston from the Friendship Centre.  Johnston is a Health Outreach Worker at the centre.

Prizes for golfers include a $10,000 win for a hole in one donated by Northern Ford, a hot tub donated by Chief King Pools and Spa, as well as other sponsor prize donations.  Packages ranging from #1,000 to $5,000 by sponsoring a hole or banner are available.  All prize donations will be recognized during the event.

The Friendship Centre is calling on local teams, businesses, and organizations to come together for a day of fun, connection, and cultural celebration. All proceeds will support Indigenous-led programming in the region, including: language restoration, youth and children’s activities, cultural awareness initiatives, and family engagement events. This past summer, one of the many activities the centre put on was a Youth Golf Camp which proved very popular.

Stone Ridge Golf Course is a 6,800-yard course created by well-known golf course architect Ted Baker. Features include a panoramic vista of rock escarpments, the boreal forest, and Ryan Lake. Wetlands, mature vegetation, and dramatic elevation changes make this course a unique golfing experience.  With the Fall colours coming into their peak around the end of September, the course is especially beautiful at the time of the tournament.  Stoneridge amenities include a pro shop, dining room, and a fully licensed clubhouse.

People can get involved by setting up a sponsorship or take a time out for a wonderful day of golfing in support of Enji-Maawinjidiyaang Indigenous Friendship Centre and reconciliation.

“Reconciliation can take many different forms, one way is a great day out on the golf course building relationships with each other. We, as the Enji Maawinjidiyaang IFC would like to say Chi Miigwech to everyone for their support of the first annual golf tournament,” said Lee-Simpson.

For more information or to register, please contact Lee-Simpson Johnston by phone: (705) 413-3854 or email lee@niigaanin.com.