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The Billy Joss Open Celebrity Golf Tournament's success is rooted in the volunteers that run the event. Delma Klengenberg, left, and tournament co-ordinator Adele Okheena are just two of the volunteers who help make the event a success.

ULUKHAKTOK/HOLMAN - Adele Okheena knows how much work it is to run an annual golf tournament at the continent's northern-most golf course.

She's been a volunteer at the Billy Joss Open Celebrity Golf Tournament for the past four years and as tournament co-ordinator this year, she and a core group of about six others have already started planning this summer's tournament, which Ulukhaktok has hosted for more than 20 years.

The group expects to put in a lot of 16-hour days as the tournament approaches. Their hard work hasn't gone unnoticed – it's earned them an Outstanding Group volunteer award from the GNWT Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. The award comes with $500 for charity, which Okheena says will go toward food provided at the tournament.

“It's a great thing for the community because they're being recognized for their volunteer work, what they do every year,” she said. “You have to be active to do this.”

“It's a great honour.”

The recipients received their awards at a ceremony in Inuvik on May 22.

The tournament is named after Hudson's Bay Company trader Billy Joss, who began playing golf in the community in 1969. Celebrity participants have included players from the Edmonton Oilers.