John Rogers Memorial Charity Golf Tournament to benefit Caledon Seniors

Registration open for tournament, which was renamed this year to honour Rogers

John Rogers was a man who lived life to the fullest. 

He was also a treasured volunteer and board member at the Caledon Seniors Centre (CSC), which has renamed its annual charity golf tournament in his honour, following his passing in April.

Beverley Nurden, manager of the CSC, explained having a charity golf tournament was originally Rogers' idea. It made naming the tournament after him an easy decision. 

“John was the instigator with staff to get this off the ground,” said Nurden. 

The CSC first held a charity golf tournament in 2022 at the Caledon Country Club. It raised over $17,000 and Nurden said the CSC is hoping to smash that number with this year's tournament.

Rogers was an avid golfer and his wife Sandi explained that he kept playing throughout his life despite three hip replacements and a wrist surgery. She said he began playing the sport at the age of 14. 

Rogers was born in 1952 and passed away at the age of 71. He and Sandi met in high school and were married for 49 years. 

Nurden said Rogers was a forward-thinker who always pushed the CSC on to new and exciting things. She said he was great at helping the CSC secure grant funding and pioneered the use of electronic payment on the CSC website. 

“He made us push the envelope, made us think outside the box,” said Nurden. “He was great… always a willing helper.”

Sandi said all Nurden had to do was ask if she needed help and Rogers would say, “OK, I'll be there at 9 a.m. tomorrow.”

Nurden said Rogers is sadly missed.

“I'm telling you, I miss him big time. Like I said, he made us all think outside the box,” said Nurden. “He was always pushing you to the next level.”

Sandi said her husband always had that way of thinking and it served him well not only in his personal life but throughout his career in business too. 

“He always had a vision; he was a visionary,” said Sandi. 

The John Rogers Memorial Charity Golf Tournament will be held on September 11 at Glen Eagle Golf Club in Bolton. Those interested in participating in the tournament can register for it online at caledonseniors.ca — sponsorship opportunities are available as well. 

Participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible, as over half of the spots for the tournament have already been filled.

The latest time one can register is the end of August.

The cost to play in the tournament is $150 per person or $575 per foursome, and this includes 18 holes of golf, a pre-tournament lunch, golf cart rental, prizes and more. There's going to be a hole-in-one contest at one of Glen Eagle's par 3 holes, and if any golfer is skilled (or lucky) enough to get one, they'll receive a prize worth $5,000.

Other fun contests held throughout the day include lowest score, putting, closest to the hole, closest to the line and more. 

Registration for the tournament opens at 11 a.m. on September 11, with lunch at noon. The shotgun start to the tournament happens at 1 p.m. and ensures everyone will finish at the same time and be able to socialize after.

Businesses looking to sponsor the tournament can sponsor an individual hole, and the CSC is looking for prize donations and “swag bag” giveaway items too. All sponsors receive recognition at the tournament, in the CSC's newsletter, and on the CSC's social media channels. 

Rogers' celebration of life was held at the CSC and over 300 people came to pay their respects and share fond memories of him.

Sandi said Rogers' favourite part about volunteering with the CSC was the people.

Rogers was hooked on helping out at the CSC from the moment he met Nurden and some of the CSC team at a Christmas fundraising lunch, she added.  

All the money raised from this year's John Rogers Memorial Charity Golf Tournament will go towards supporting the CSC and its satellite programs across Caledon. Donations in memory of Rogers are also welcome from those who can't make the tournament.