Matt Lehmann raises $3500 in memorial charity golf tournament

By Jesse Ferguson, 4BRANT

On Sunday, August 19^th at Burford Golf Links, just a minute down the road from where Shelley resided, players joined the Lehmann family for a charity golf tournament. The tournament was primarily setup by Shelley’s youngest son, Matt, and all proceeds would go to Stedman Community Hospice in Brantford, Ont. where Shelley spent her final days.

The hospice is a place that offers programs and services, such as a place to stay, for anyone at any stage of a terminal illness.

Brantford’s location is easy to remember: 99 Wayne Gretzky Parkway.

The Lehmann family (L-R: Shelley’s son Matt, daughter Lesley, Shelley’s husband Jamie, oldest son Mike). Photo submitted by Lesley Lehmann

Shelley’s daughter, Lesley (above, middle-left), speaks glowingly of the Stedman Hospice and how everyone there is so warm all of the time. The family is very happy that Shelley got to be apart of the hospice and live out the rest of her days in peace. Shelley passed in December of 2015.

Matt (below left) spoke lovingly of his mom after the golf had completed and players gathered upstairs for a banquet and a lovely dinner prepared by the kitchen staff at Burford Golf Links.

Matt Lehmann with wife Kelly before the last tournament. Photo submitted by Christine Nechelput

This year the tournament marked it’s third year of existence, the second consecutive at BGL. The first was held in Guelph, but this location here in Burford just makes too much sense considering the family (and most friends) still live in the area.

The first year they had 38 golfers play and the year after, when they moved things to Burford, they got 93 players! According to Matt, the first two years the tournament raised more than $5,000 for the Stedman Hospice.

This year, Matt estimates they raised between $3400-3500!

Matt’s goal, as well as the entire family’s, is to make sure that no family receives a bill for their time at the hospice, for however long they need to stay.

It was a gorgeous day in Burford for the tournament. It was hot, but not ridiculously so. There was enough shade on the course, and all of the competitors had carts to be shielded from the bright sun (feature image and below).

The competitors of the tournament were addressed prior to tee off by Lehmann (bottom in white) with the pro from Burford Golf Links (bottom middle). Photo submitted by Christine Nechelput

The tournament was a best-ball format, where teams select the best shot from their group and the whole group takes their next shot from that place. They then choose the best shot from there and again all players shoot their shots from there. And so on. So basically, scoring can go very well with the more people in your group!

And they did.

The winning group was a foursome from Strickland’s Brantford, the vehicle dealership located at 19 Lynden Road that primarily carries GM products, such as Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac (Strickland’s was also a big sponsor of the event, donating to Lehmann’s charity).

The winning team was comprised of Tyler Ferguson, Dan Alonzo, Marc Gervais (pictured below, respectively, left to right), along with Todd Farrant (not pictured here– he may have been busy a shooting natural eagle, as was rightly speculated upstairs after play).

Three quarters of Team Strickland poses for a picture (submitted photo)

Ferguson said the key to a best ball tournament was Alonzo, who “hits the ball 200 yards, right down the middle every time,” which gives the other players leeway to play riskier shots.

The three top teams were awarded their places, which allowed them to select their prizes donated by all the sponsors before the other players who finished behind them.

Everyone who competed was given a ticket upon registering and the prize table was rounded out by a draw that included all participants’ tickets.

Matt is very grateful for the players who played and the sponsors who helped the cause. “It means a lot to me and my family,” he said with gratitude and utmost sincerity in front of all the attendees. “The Hospice is a great cause.”

“Now Matt’s not one to take credit for much, but, he truly is 100% responsible for the tournament,” explained Lesley.

“It’s such a great cause,” said Matt Roy, a player in the tournament.

After the dessert and all the prizes were done being handed out, about every single person in that room went to shake Matt’s hand. Almost all of them congratulated him on an event well done in every way.

I’m sure that up above, Shelley was looking down, smiling.

Display setup by Patti Greenwood of Shelley (inset, left) inside a heart of flowers (photo submitted by Christine Nechelput)