By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

The Randy Windels Memorial Golf Tournament took place today, Wednesday, July 9 as 18 teams competed at Balhepburn Golf Course, just outside New York Mills.

The tournament has been a part of the NY Mills Lion’s Club activities for a number of years now, but was renamed in 2019 after longtime Lion member and Golf Tournament participant, Randy Windels, passed away in late 2018. The event is largely organized by family members, with the Lions Club as the sponsor.

“He is my wife’s uncle,” said Eric Weber, organizer. “So after 2018, it became the Randy Windels Memorial. The Windels family goes out and get the raffle prizes and we have generous local businesses that donate for the event. We also have Lions members who donate. I don’t do it by myself, I have some good helpers.”

The golf tournament includes 18 teams of four members, who compete in a golf scramble and play the day away with friends and family by their side. Food and prizes make up the evening’s activities and before long, the event typically raises about $2,500 for the Lion’s Club each year.

“We have a few raffle prizes at the end and some food, just good camaraderie,” said Weber. “We golf at Balhepburn, that’s at the Howard and Lou Legried farm. They graciously host us every year.

“Typically we have 18 teams that golf, it’s usually full,” he continued. “I always look forward to seeing everyone out there enjoying the afternoon. We get spectators too, they come and set up chairs and reminisce and there’s good camaraderie. It’s just a lot of people enjoying some time together and that’s what I like, I just like seeing people out there enjoying themselves and having fun. It’s a good way to raise some money for the Lions and people have fun doing it!”