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It was a successful day on the links on May 28, as York University Athletics & Recreation hosted the 21st annual Lions Cup Golf Tournament, presented by TD Insurance, in support of bursaries for York Lions varsity student-athletes. $160,500 was raised through pre-event registration, while another donation of $5,000 was made on the day of the event, bringing the total to $165,500 – a new Lions Cup record.
This year’s event saw 104 golfers take to the greens at King’s Riding Golf Club in King City, Ont., with the common goal to provide financial assistance to York Lions student-athletes. As has been the case in previous years, the event featured several competitions along the course, including driving, chipping and putting accuracy challenges, the longest drive competition, closest to the pin and a beat-the-pro contest.
A number of York’s student-athletes – reaping the benefits of the funds raised – were on site to actively engage with golfers, fostering valuable relationships with professionals in their fields of study as they prepare for careers of their own.
Originally dubbed the Chair's Cup in 2001, the Lions Cup carries a rich history. Its creators – Marshall Cohen, the former Chair of the York University Board of Governors, his wife Judi and Guy Burry, current Chair of the York University Pension Fund Investment Committee and longtime men’s hockey coach – had a visionary goal: to establish an event that not only raised much-needed funds but also forged bonds among friends, alumni and community partners. In recent years, under Burry’s leadership, the event has centred on bolstering varsity student-athletes by committing all money raised to athletic bursaries.
“These bursaries are possible thanks to the generous contributions of donors and sponsors of our long-standing tournament," said Bart Zemanek, director of development at York University Athletics & Recreation. "Their support is crucial in cultivating a culture of excellence in Athletics & Recreation, providing Lions student-athletes with the resources to achieve their goals, both in the classroom and within their given sport.”
For a complete list of this year's tournament sponsors and donors, visit the Lions Cup Golf Tournament web page.