Mike_smith_tournament

Jeff Green | Jul 30, 2009

Celebrity hockey players Mike Smith, goalie for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Dustin Walsh, recently drafted to the Montreal Canadians (4th and 5th from left) with charity tournament participants from (l to r) Ron Verkerk, Kevin Kirk, Bill Vallier and Paul Owen

Rain delays were not a factor this year for the 3rd annual Mike Smith Charity Golf Tournament that took place Thursday at the Rivendell Golf Course in Verona.

Twenty-five hockey celebrities teamed up with 39 participating teams to raise funds for the Frontenac Community Arena’s Project End Zone and North Frontenac Minor Hockey.

Because this year’s tournament fell on July 23, the 9th anniversary of Joe Goodfellow’s death, funds raised from the putting competition went towards the Joe Goodfellow Memorial Fund at Sydenham High School.

Mike Smith, who initiated the tournament, grew up in Verona, where he started playing hockey with the Frontenac Flyers. He now currently plays in the NHL and is a goalie with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Mike held court all day on the course at the 12th hole. Flanked by friends, family and organizers, he took time to meet and greet all of the participating golfers and posed for photos with each of the 39 teams.

The event, organized by Terry Gibson, Cathy Goodfellow, Mike’s parents Ron and Ingrid Smith, and numerous volunteers, raised close to $40,000 in its first two years for the Frontenac Arena’s renovation project.

Despite the drizzly conditions Gibson was pleased with this year’s turnout and when I met up with him at hole 12 he commented, “It’s going very well; the weather’s holding out and it looks like it’s going to be another great success.”

Mike Smith was equally pleased to have no delays in the game on account of the weather. Last year lightning delayed the tournament for two hours.

Mike instigated the tournament as a way to give back to the community. He explained, “ I decided when I turned pro that I wanted to give back to the community where I was raised.”

A silent and live auction were also held during the day and included a mural painted on site by artist Dave Arrigo, who also painted Mike’s goalie mask. It was anticipated that hockey jerseys autographed by Ovechkin, Steve Stamkos and Mike Smith would bring in some hefty donations.

After the tournament, participants dined in the newly constructed 2nd floor dining room at Rivendell.

Ken Harper, owner of the Rivendell Golf Club, was happy to support the event and admitted to being just one community sponsor in a long list of many whose ongoing support allows this event to take place.