EnMark Associates

At 6am in the morning, the footprints of the first volunteers and officials to arrive on the course are visible in the dew on the grass…it’s the first day of what will be an action-packed week filled with activity at the Hamilton Golf & Country Club as the 2012 RBC Canadian Open gets underway. And some of those early tracks in the fairway belong to volunteers supporting the Community Child Abuse Council in its precedent-setting involvement at this year’s national tournament…an amazing group of caring and hard working individuals who battled the gruelling heat and humidity all day long to sell reusable water bottles and purple awareness ribbons, accept donations, and manage an on-site effort that will raise important funds to support the Council’s vital child abuse prevention, education, and treatment programs. They are champions even as the week begins, and the entire operation wouldn’t be happening without them.

Brandt Snedeker strolls by, mere hours after flying back from that other Open across the pond. Stephen Ames rolls in a putt with a small but appreciative gallery watching from the shade. RBC’s Gord Nixon, President and CEO, tees off in the morning RBC Invitational Pro-Am. The course is alive with energy and anticipation. Ernie is coming. And right there in the midst of this inspiring environment…tremendous exposure for an important cause, conversations about a difficult topic, and generosity in support of  hope and healing for children and youth affected by trauma and abuse. It’s a wonderful experience to be in the midst of all this, knowing that the week ahead will bring significant gains for the Council in numerous ways.

Retief Goosen causes a considerable stir as he plays through the Par-3 sixteenth hole, but it’s the family walking past – all wearing purple ribbons – that captures my attention. There’s a lot going on today, not least a community coming together for the enjoyment of sport and the support of a good cause. It’s a wonderful start.

If you visit the RBC Canadian Open this week, look for the Council’s volunteers in their yellow shirts and be sure to stop by one of five water stations on the course to buy a reusable water bottle and get a purple ribbon. Saturday, July 28th is Purple Ribbon Day on the course.