PROVIDENCE BAY/SPRING BAY—The Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) Manitoulin Metal robotics team is extremely grateful to the Providence Bay and Spring Bay Lions Club for a golf tournament they are hosting this fall that will support the MSS robotics team.
“We’re really eager to help the MSS robotics team in this way. They were in a real tough spot this spring in trying to raise funds to get to the World Championships in Houston, Texas,” said Chris Bryan, president of the Providence Bay and Spring Bay Lions Club. “This is a great chance to get the ball rolling in terms of fundraising for the team.”
“Manitoulin Metal is grateful and excited about the golf tournament the Providence Bay and Spring Bay Lions Club is holding in September,” said Yana Bauer, an MSS robotics team mentor. “This event will jumpstart our fundraising for the 2024 Robotics World Championships, including upgrading our drive-base equipment. The whole team is excited to support the event and arrived en masse to the July Lions Club meeting,” said Ms. Bauer. “The Lions are so supportive and impressed by the young people and their accomplishments and are very optimistic about the success of the event.”
The first annual Lions Golf tournament will take place at Brookwood Brae Golf Course in Mindemoya on Saturday, September 16.
“As a club, we had a transition session in the spring to look at new fundraising ideas,” said Mr. Bryan who took over as club president last November. “We wanted to bring new ideas in the club and I brought up to the group that a golf tournament would be a win-win. You can’t lose holding a golf tournament. Then we had to come up with a final target of where the funds raised would go, and club member John Bisaillon suggested supporting the MSS Robotics team.”
“I contacted Yana Bauer, a mentor for the MSS team, and they were really excited about all of this,” said Mr. Bryan. “We had a meeting earlier this month and members of the team and their mentors were on hand.”
“I joined the Lions Club in November,” said Mr. Bryan. “I really enjoy the club and what they do for the community. I showed some interest in joining and felt I had a few different ideas that could be looked at. I’m all for a challenge. I want to be involved in the Lions Club for many years to come.”
Mr. Bryan and his wife have three children, and he works in the maintenance department at the Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC). “We moved here about four years ago, from Alberta. When the job opportunity with MHC came up, I couldn’t refuse,” said Mr. Bryan. “My family is from the Island, as far back as the 1860s. There are eight generations of family members who are from Manitoulin.”
“We already have some sponsors on board for the tournament,” said Mr. Bryan. “I think everything will work out well. We are looking to have a total of 20 teams of four players. And we’re hoping to get support from other Lions Clubs and other service clubs as well.”
Team registration for the golf tournament is required by August 1 in men’s, mixed and ladies divisions. The cost per team is $400. There will be a 50/50 draw held during the day, with tickets sold at Brookwood Brae golf course at $5 per ticket. A steak dinner will be served after play has concluded and there will be several contests and prizes held.
To register your team, please email or call Lion Chris Bryan at chris_bryan84@outlook.com or by phone at 705-348-0493.
Mr. Bryan noted the Lions Club is seeking corporate donors in holding the golf tournament as well as anyone who would like to donate door prizes for the tournament.