THUNDER BAY -- It's the last push for sales for the third annual Golf Balls from Heaven Ball Drop, presented by TbayTel
This year's event will be special as we have really focused on giving back to local families in Northwestern Ontario struggling with life threatening illnesses. The Barr family understands the costs and financial burden of having a sick child fighting for their lives and extra expenses that come along with having to support a loved one.
Dustin Barr was a young junior golfer born and raised in Thunder Bay with dreams of playing on the PGA tour. His heroic seven-year fight against cancer came to a sad ending on March 4, 2020 and his charity was named Raising the Barr because that's what he did.
Dustin's dreams of playing on the PGA Tour and his love for the game of golf kept him fighting against Cancer and defying all odds. When he was first diagnosed with cancer he didn't let that get in his way. The doctors told him he had less than a 5 per cent chance of living and if he did survive after his surgery he wouldn't be able to walk or play golf again.
After his trip to St. Andrews, Scotland to play the Old Course and many more open championship courses in Scotland as a part of his "Make-A-Wish" he had his surgery that many thought could be his last days. He survived his surgery, and used his dream of playing on the PGA tour and love for the game of golf to "keep his dreams alive" Dustin did that and more.
Within 18 months he was back walking, playing golf and training in the gym every day. He obtained an NCAA Scholarship at St. Thomas University in Georgia after winning a major junior event on the Futures Collegians World Tour at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Florida in March of 2015 while training with PGA tour Coach Sean Foley.
A part of his dreams came true when he played in front of local friends and family on the PGA Tour of Canada Staal Open at Whitewater golf club in 2017 at the age of 21 while still undergoing chemotherapy as his cancer had returned.
Dustin Barr's wishes were that his legacy would be remembered for his love for the game of golf, his dreams of playing on the PGA Tour and most importantly giving back to those charities that helped him along the way and supporting local families struggling with life-threatening illnesses.
Raising the Barr Charity has given back $110,000 over the past two years during the Golf Tournament and Ball Drop. This year's event will be on Aug. 19 at Whitewater Golf and we will be doubling our cash prizes to $10,000 with three chances to win. Closest to the pin wins $5,000, second closest $3,000 and third closest $2,000.
Hundred per cent of the proceeds will be going back to families in Northwestern, Ont. from the ball drop as a part of our new "Raising the Barr Grant" application. We have partnered with organizations like the Tbaytel Tamarack House, Sick kids and the Ronald McDonalds House. So if you are a family struggling, and need extraordinary expenses covered due to life-threatening illnesses and travel, we want to hear your story. Everyone has an equal opportunity to apply, but funds are limited so the more we raise the more we can give back. Email raisingthebarrgolf@gmail.com for the application.
To purchase tickets, you can visit our website www.raisingthebarrgolf.com and must be 18 years of age or older. Lottery license #M800880
Thank you to all the local businesses and community support as we help "Keep Dustin's Dreams Alive"
Dustin you are missed, loved and every time we all step on the tee you're in our thoughts and prayers! We know you're looking down and proud! So until we tee it up again above we have some work to do down here on 'Keeping your Dreams Alive"
