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A battle against the odds

05 SEP 2018

Budds’ Jaguar Land Rover Feast of the Fairways Charity Classic continues to battle against the odds

Nearly 1 in 2 Canadians is expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime

By Brent Long

The 12th annual Feast of the Fairways Charity Classic turned into an electrifying experience for fans of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.

On August 24, the two major sponsors of Budds’ Jaguar Land Rover Feast of the Fairways Charity Classic increased the voltage of the annual charity tournament by showcasing both brands first electric vehicles – and that created quite a buzz.

“Another perfect day at Glen Abbey to raise funds to fight cancer and share the next generation of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles with friends and colleagues who all believe in and support the battle against cancer,” says Terry Budd, owner of Budds’ Imported Cars in Oakville.

On display on the golf course was the eye-catching 2019 Jaguar I-Pace – Jaguar’s first fully electric vehicle and the plug-in hybrid Range Rover 2019 PHEV, along with several other models from each brand.

“Jaguar is the first luxury brand with a fully electric vehicle and they’ll be available in Canada starting in September. Interest is so high, we’re actually sold out for 2019,” Budd said, noting the Range Rover PHEV models including a sleek sport edition should be available before the end of the year.

“This is always a great tournament, with a great mix of awesome vehicles, terrific food, wonderful weather and good friends. Glen Abbey is beautiful to play and it’s all in support of an important charity, the Canadian Cancer Society,” said Chris Bischof, who was playing in the event for the third consecutive year and enjoying every minute of it especially the oyster station at the 14th tee in the valley. “It doesn’t get any easier to play with experience, but it’s a lot of fun to play and it’s not a competitive event.”

On hole No. 3 golfers teed it up with sushi from Mye Japanese Restaurant, on No. 7 they were treated to turkey sliders on a bun from Brü Restaurant, on No. 11 Jonathans Restaurant barbecued striploin beef sliders and homemade BBQ chips, on No. 13 The Mermaid and the Oyster served up 500-plus fresh oysters – and on No. 17, Eighteen Restaurant at Glen Abbey prepared decadent grilled cheese sandwiches.

“I didn’t think you could make last year’s burgers any better, but you did. That pepperoni sauce is bang on,” Jim Poutsoungas said, as he enjoyed the view on No. 11 with Jonathans' Executive Chef Michael Spudowski and owner Jason Alikakos who greet the guests personally each year.

“I’m going to have to start putting that pepperoni sauce in the (golf) bag. Look how far the ball goes after you have one of those burgers,” added Daniel Poutsoungas, as the real charcoal smell and smoke from the BBQ wafted across the tee deck.

Golfers also experienced the spiciest homemade potato chips you can imagine – they have you sweating on the tee deck even before you need to hit one of the most memorable shots in golf. Unbelievably, a handful of groups even took an extra bag or two with them for the rest of the round! Chef Michael personally makes them once a year for this event and they’re not on the menu at Jonathans.

“It has been an amazing day. It’s my first time at this tournament and it’s one of the best I have ever been to. The on-course food stations were great. The oysters were amazing and the view from No. 11 with the burgers on the BBQ was spectacular,” says Frank Nweisser, who enjoyed checking out the new vehicles on the course. “The main thing I really enjoyed is that we’re out here having fun, raising funds for charity and not worrying about your score.”

After the round, golfers and their spouses gathered on the clubhouse deck overlooking No. 18 for silent and live auctions, dancing to live music and the five-course feast prepared by Glen Abbey Executive Chef, Kevin Watson that included: succulent seared Nova Scotia scallops with celery root puree, cucumber slaw, lemon zest, radish shoots and chili oil on cedar board; organic chicken liver pate brulee with herb crostini; miso-marinated chilean sea bass with fennel and mango salad; Collingwood’s farm artisan AAA beef tenderloin with expresso rub, fresh herb rosti, butter rapini and balsamic wild cherry glaze as the main; followed by grilled peach panna cotta with tuxedo strawberries for dessert.

The team of Peter Wrong, Steve Gallace, Craig Alvaro and Mike Savage took top spot with a score of 11-under par, followed by the team of Steve Nicholson, Tsvet Tsokov and Gord Robb at 7-under, with Allen Baker, Bryon Loeppky, Taylor Irving and Jean Martin in third at 5-under.

“The important part about today is raising funds to fight cancer,” said Gord Robb, who was part of the second-place team and is a two-time cancer survivor himself. “I love the food. It’s difficult to swing after five separate meals, but we do and then we follow it up with this magnificent meal and silent auction.”

“We’ll be back next year to support the Budd Family in this charity fundraiser. I’m living proof that cancer can be beaten, but it really is a battle of life or death for many people – whatever we can do to help assist the Canadian Cancer Society in this fight is very important,” added Gord who has played in all of the events.

This year’s event raised nearly $35,000 bringing the 12-year total to approximately $300,000 that goes to the Oakville Branch of the Canadian Cancer Society.

The Budd family started the event to remember Terry’s father, Stuart, the co-founder of Budd Automotive Group, after he died from cancer. Terry points out that several sponsors including; the five on-course restaurants, Scotiabank and Jaguar Land Rover Canada have been with the tournament since its inception as have about 30 to 40 of the golfers, and there are always newcomers to the party.

“We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Budd Family for organizing Feast of the Fairways,” says Shelley Frank, a Community Fundraising Specialist with the local branch of the Canadian Cancer Society. “Their dedication is valuable to us, and with their help, we fund Canada’s best cancer research and provide information and support for cancer patients and their families in our community. Their continued support is vital to continue our work to fight cancer and for that we are very grateful.”

Quick facts from The Canadian Cancer Society

  • Cancer affects everyone. 1 in 2 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. 
  • In 2017, an estimated 206,200 Canadians were diagnosed with cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer)
  • Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada – 1 in 4 Canadians is expected to die from the disease
  • An estimated 80,800 Canadians died from cancer in 2017
  • Since the peak in the cancer death rate in Canada in 1988, it is estimated that over 179,000 deaths have been avoided as a result of cancer prevention and control efforts
  • The 5-year cancer survival rate has increased from about 25% in the 1940s to 60% today
  • Today, 268 people receiving treatment far from home woke up in a Canadian Cancer Society lodge – a warm and comforting home away from home that allows patients to focus on getting better rather than worrying about traveling long distances for treatment.
  • Every day, more than 34,200 people reach out to the Canadian Cancer Society for trusted information and caring support about cancer – and they receive it, by phone or online, 24/7.
  • On an average day, 2,600 Canadian Cancer Society volunteers share their passion and compassion, transforming lives in the process.

Common cancers

  • In 2017, lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancers accounted for half of all newly diagnosed cancer cases
  • Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer overall (14% of all cancers diagnosed in 2017) and the leading cause of cancer death. Last year, it caused more cancer deaths among Canadians (21,100) than colorectal, breast and prostate cancer combined (18,500)
    • Between 1989 and 2012, it is estimated that 31,660 lung cancer deaths were avoided as a result of cancer prevention and control efforts
    • About 70% of lung cancers were diagnosed after they have spread (stage 3 or 4)
  • Colorectal cancer is the 2nd most commonly diagnosed cancer (13% of all cancers diagnosed in 2017)
    • Colorectal cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer death for males and 3rd most common cause of cancer death for females, accounting for 12% of all cancer deaths in Canada in 2017
    • Colorectal cancer death rates are declining for men and women, which is likely largely due to improvements in diagnosis and treatment
    • Almost 50% of colorectal cancers were diagnosed after they have spread (stage 3 or 4)
  • Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women
    • 1 in 8 Canadian women is expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime
    • In 2017, an estimated 26,300 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 5,000 women died of breast cancer
    • The breast cancer death rate has fallen at least 44% since 1988, which likely reflects earlier diagnosis through screening and treatment advances
    • More than 80% of female breast cancers were diagnosed at an early stage (stage 1 or 2)
  • Prostate cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian men
    • 1 in 7 Canadian men is expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime
    • In 2017, an estimated 21,300 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and 4,100 men died of prostate cancer
    • The death rate for prostate cancer has been declining, which likely reflects improvements in treatment
    • Almost 75% of prostate cancers were diagnosed at an early stage (stage 1 or 2)

Impact of aging population

  • The number of cancer cases is rising primarily because of the growing and aging Canadian population. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2015 showed the average annual number of cancer cases in 2028-2032 is projected to be 79% higher than it was in 2003-2007
  • In 2017, it was estimated that 89% of all cancers would be diagnosed in Canadians 50 years of age and over and 45% would occur in Canadians 70 years of age and older
  • Almost all cancer deaths in Canada (96%) were expected to occur in people aged 50 and over. Most of these (65%) would occur in people 70 and over
  • With the continued increase in the number of new cancers, the Canadian healthcare system faces increasing demand for cancer services including diagnostics, treatment, palliative care and survivor supports