THUNDER BAY - A chilly morning warmed up into a bright sunny day as Carter Hutton teed off on the first hole of his charity golf tournament.
The Hometown Heroes Children's Charity Golf Classic is now in its eighth year and has raised more than $290,000 in the last three years in which the Buffalo Sabres goaltender has hosted it.
On Wednesday at the Fort William Country Club, Hutton took some time away from his offseason schedule to play a round of golf with his buddies and raise money for the George Jeffrey Children’s Centre.
“Being the face of it is obviously an honour, but I think it just goes back to the people of Thunder Bay and their support every year and it really does wonders for this charity,” Hutton said after teeing off on the first hole.
The tournament, formerly hosted by Patrick Sharp, is expecting to raise more than $75,000 for George Jeffrey this year.
Hutton said he has visited the children's centre often in the past.
“Being at the centre and seeing what they do for the kids is amazing. I think first and foremost that’s the most important thing,” Hutton said. “Growing up in Thunder Bay, I’ve known a lot of families whose kids have gone through George Jeffries and they’ve done wonders for the kids.”
Steve Macdonald, executive director of George Jeffrey, said the tournament allows the centre to do things they otherwise would struggle to do without the charity money.
“It helps us with enhancements to programs within the centre, with purchasing equipment, and it helps us bring in more talent and clinicians who wouldn’t be funded otherwise to help with the children,” he said.
Gillons’ Insurance Brokers and LiUNA Local 607 are the two of the main sponsors for the tournament.
“The reality of clients’ of George Jeffery is that they have a variety of different needs. We held children from their speech. to eating, to mobility, to occupational therapy. We care for a child's’ special needs regardless of what that is.”
This year’s event will also benefit Firefly, a non-profit that provides a wide range of services for children, youth and families in Northwestern Ontario.
As for Hutton, who's now with the Buffalo Sabres, he stuck to the tradition of bringing along former teammate Robert Bortuzzo, despite the fact that Bortuzzo is fresh off of a Stanley Cup victory with Hutton’s former team, the St. Louis Blues.
“It’s always fun to get out with Rob. We’ve spent a lot of time together, especially in the last few years training in the offseason and playing,” Hutton said.
The goaltender said he made a point to watch Bortuzzo and the Blues throughout the Stanley Cup journey.
“It was an amazing year for him. I watched very intently and couldn't be happier for him,” Hutton said.
The total amount of money raised will be made available later in the day.
