Changes for the Better Golf Tournament

I have been getting so excited for my first appearance in Winnipeg as Miss Model of the World Canada 2001. It is with the Winnipeg Downtown Biz Association. The organizer’s name is Chad, and he has been really helpful in answering my calls, questions, and concerns. He and I have been working together to try and find the best way to utilize me at this event.

The night before I was very excited and even a little bit nervous, as I had not done an appearance in a while.

I got up the next morning and I had to get everything ready to bring with me to school as it was going to be super full day for me. I had class in the morning, was doing the appearance, going back to class, and then to the dinner! It was a big day!

The Biz was really nice and had let me bring some of the stuff that I would need for the day to the offices the day before. They then took the stuff to the golf course for me.

I went to my classes until 11:30, and then Dane, a member of the Downtown Biz Patrol who had been assigned my security guard/escort for the day, picked me up. He took me to Breezy Bends Golf Course, which is about 30 minutes away from my university and where the tournament was being held. Dane was a super guy, really nice and helpful throughout the day.

I got to the golf course and was taken to my changeroom where my bag was. I quickly changed and got ready, and then went outside to greet the players as they came in a registered. As the players registered, they each received a duffel bag with the Changes for the Better logo on it, as well as a water bottle. All of the players were really nice, and most of them stopped to talk with me for a minute or two.

A Winnipeg Sun photographer showed up to take pictures of the teams for the FORE! Section of the paper. This section is devoted to covering the charity golf tournaments of the summer, and features a short write up on the tournament, as well as about 6 or 7 pictures of the teams that competed in the event. Usually, pictures of the corporate or business teams are taken. I was asked to be in two of the pictures. This ran about 2 or 3 weeks later, and is featured on this site. To be taken there, click here!

After the photographs were taken, Dane took me around the golf course on a golf cart. I stopped at each hole and greeted and watched each of the teams. The Pony Corral had sponsored the lunch hole, and it was a great relief to get to that hole! It was a very good lunch. Thanks to Pony Corral for sponsoring this great event. After we ate lunch, it was time for me to get back for my afternoon theatre class. Dane brought me back for this, and then picked me up again at 5:30 to take me back to the clubhouse for the dinner and awards.

It was now rush time for me, as I had to change, fix my hair and makeup, and get out into the dining room within 15 minutes! I did it, and was actually quite proud of myself! I was seated at the ‘head’ table with members of the Downtown Biz Organization and Laurie Mustard, a columnist for the Winnipeg Sun, and the MC for the evening. We all enjoyed really good food and good company. I think everyone was surprised that I ate as much as I did, but as I explained to them, I am a struggling University student who does not turn down free food!

After dinner, Laurie went up onstage and then he introduced me. He had asked me to do a little spoof on the “Miss Congeniality” movie and when asked what I wanted more than anything in the world, I replied with “World Peace.” It cracked everyone up and set the tone for the evening.

Laurie and I had a real chemistry and I think that this shone through. We complimented each other and it made for an exciting event to co-host with him. I am looking forward to any time that I might get to co-host with him again. The eventual winner of the tournament was the Winnipeg Police Services Team. They also received a lot of the bigger prizes! There were prizes for the best all around team, as well as Mullet Prizes and other hole prizes. Everyone received a prize in the end.

The awards ceremony lasted about an hour, and then Laurie, the Downtown Biz Organization, and I talked for a little while. It was definitely a good way to end the night. Afterwards, Dane drove me home.

I would like to thank everyone who helped make this event such a wonderful event. Thank you to Chad for organizing it, to the Breezy Bends Golf Course for hosting it, to Dane for being a wonderful chauffeur, to all of the Downtown Biz Patrol for being such wonderful people to be around, and to anyone else who made this event a success. Thank you as well for the duffel bag and the gift certificates.

Just a note, for those of you who don’t know what the Changes for the Better program is, it is an event/program that supports 14 different social service agencies within Winnipeg. It is definitely a worthwhile charity!