THUNDER BAY – Bruce Nugent lived to give back to the people of Thunder Bay.
His legacy continues to live on, three years after his death.
Dozens of golfers gathered on Monday at Whitewater Golf Course to take part in the newly renamed Bruce Nugent Memorial Golf Tournament, with money raised as a result of the event being donated to the Lakehead Public Schools Foundation to be used to fund student-based programs throughout the board’s coverage area.
David Pineau, chair of the tournament, said it was important to honour the memory of Nugent, the former communications director for the public board, in a meaningful manner.
“Bruce was a real community champion,” Pineau said. “This was one of his loves, this event. Since his passing it just seemed appropriate that we rename this in his honour. He did so much for our community and got so much energy for doing such things that we thought it was great to honour him in this way.”
Nugent’s son Aidan said it was great to see so many people out supporting the foundation and that he was proud that his father’s legacy continues to live on.
“He put a lot into this event, every single year. I saw it first-hand. He brought me every single year to be with him and support this event, and give back to the community and the foundation — just to give thanks to everything we’d been given by the school board and how lucky we are to be in the position we are in and just to give back a little bit,” Nugent said.
The tournament raises on average about $20,000 a year for the foundation, a figure Pineau said they looked like they’d easily hit again in 2023.
“By the looks of the support we’re hoping to double that or more this year. The support has been unbelievable. We’ve got prize tables that are chalk-full, multiple hole sponsors. It’s been amazing support from the community,” Pineau said.
