Another NHLer is on board for next month’s Staal Foundation Open.
Two-time NHL All-Star Marc Savard has received a sponsor’s exemption into the second annual golf tournament. The Ottawa native has collected 706 points, with 207 goals through more than 13 seasons in the league.
The announcement of Savard’s participation was one of many details outlined at a news conference Tuesday morning at the Valhalla Inn.
"One of our missions is to grow the game of golf in our city and in the region," said Scott Smith, Executive Director of the Staal Foundation Open. "We have always mentioned that our goal is to get exposure to the city of Thunder Bay."
This year, in effort to attract more publicity, the organizing committee has added a number of new activities to appeal to more spectators.
Some of the new activities for this year’s event include interactive golf, power golf and a trick shot exhibition, an executive women's day and a million dollar shootout involving participants from Thunder Bay and the Northwestern Ontario Region.
Activities will also include some interactive games featured in the Hockey Hall of Fame. A target shooting hockey net, a slap shot radar shoot, a goalie challenge and a mini hockey rink and a number of Hockey Hall of Fame exhibits.
"There is going to be so many great things besides the golf that you almost forget that that is what you are going there to watch these great players compete,” said Jared Staal.
“There is going to be so many activities for families and people of all ages to get involved with and to enjoy."
"I think when you bring people like this to an event you get a lot of media covered around the world," Smith added. "It is important for that aspect but also to track people to come down to the event and raise money for charity."
The The Staal Foundation Open is taking place from July 13 to July 20 at the Whitewater Golf Club.
(With files from TBT News)
