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RANKIN INLET
The third annual Al Burrill Memorial Golf Tournament is 10 days away, landing this year on Saturday, Aug. 20.

The event, organized by the Rankin Inlet Flight Services Station, honours the memory of Burrill, who was the field maintenance supervisor at the Rankin Inlet airport

for 13 years before passing away suddenly in September 2008.

All money raised by the tournament is donated to the RCMP Christmas Hamper Fund, one of Burrill's favourite charities.

Last year, 20 golfers showed up to play a round in the pouring rain.

Cpl. Peter Harris, who participated in the tournament last year and "if all goes well" will again this year, said the rain and wind made for a terrible scorecard, but it was still a fun event.

Despite the weather, the tournament raised $3,000, more than double what was raised the first year the event was held. This year, the goal is to raise $4,000.

Harris said the proceeds from the tournament are a huge help to the hamper fund.

"There's more and more demand every year for the hamper fund, so the more assistance that we get, the more donations that we get, the more we can help out the community," he said.

In 2010 the RCMP raised about $30,000 toward the fund. Although the name of the charity is the Christmas Hamper Fund, the RCMP doesn't hand out baskets of food.

"We don't have the facility to hold food here, so what happens is they receive a gift certificate to the Northern or the Co-op and it's valid only for food," Harris said.

Harris said 120 gift certificates in the amount of $250 were handed out last year.

That means the memorial golf tournament provided 12 families with gift certificates last year.

The registration fee for the tourney, which will take place at the Rankin Inlet Golf Course, is $40. There will be a maximum of 36 players accepted, so interested golfers are encouraged to register early to ensure a spot.

Prizes have been donated for the tournament awards, which include, but are not limited to, hole in one, closest to the pin, shortest drive overall, lowest team score and highest team score, also known as the "at least you showed up" award.

Tee off will be at 1:30 p.m. Following the round, participants can take part in a post tournament reception and awards ceremony.

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