Submitted by Selkirk & District Community Foundation
There would be no one more disappointed that the Bob Jefferson Memorial Golf Tournament presented by IG Wealth Management was missing from the 2020 calendar, than the tourney’s namesake himself. Bobby J was a man who enjoyed a good party and, more importantly, he was steadfast in his commitment to fundraising for the Selkirk and District Community Foundation through his annual tournament.
Annual tournament in memory of Bobby J postponed to 2021Michael Buhr, Senior Financial Consultant with Buhr Blaylock and Associates, IG Private Wealth Management, said as much as Bob would have been disappointed he would have agreed that postponing was the right move. “Obviously Bob’s commitment to the community is legendary and his commitment to the Foundation is indisputable,” Buhr said. “Certainly, if Bob was still around and the tournament wasn’t on, he would still personally write his cheque which he did every year and I believe everybody would agree with that.”
Jefferson, a lifelong Selkirk resident and one of the city’s biggest cheerleaders, passed away in December 2013. His annual golf tournament had been raising funds for the Selkirk and District Community Foundation since 1998 and had topped more than $90,000 at the time of his passing.As of last year,it had raised just over $135,000. Jefferson ran the tournament through his Century 21 Real Estate company, and after his death, IG Wealth took over and continued it in Jefferson’s memory.The tournament was postponed this year until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Buhr said it wasn’t a tough decision to put the tournament off, for a couple of reasons –concern for everyone’s safety, and concern for supporters who’ve already been hit hard by the pandemic.
“The reason why it wasn’t (a tough decision) was we didn’t know what social distancing rules would be in place, I mean you can’t decide two weeks in advance you’re going to go ahead with it; we had to make this decision a few months ago,” Buhr said. “And, there are some of our sponsors and supporters who had to close their businesses or were off work for weeks or months, and to go to them and ask them if they could help us out I just didn’t feel was fair. So actually,it was an easy decision to take a rest for the year.”
Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson, a close friend of Bobby J’s, said he knows Bob would be thrilled if those who are able could make a donation in his name even though there isn’t a tournament this year.“That would put a big smile on Bob’s face,” Johannson said. “Everyone knows that Bobby J loved Selkirk and he loved this tournament. Postponing until next year was the right thing to do, and Bob would agree with that, but he’d be very grateful if people would make a donation in his memory this year.”
Buhr agreed. “Just because we’re not able to have the tournament this year and recognizing that there’s been many economic challenges to people in our community, for those that are able, any contribution in Bob’s memory would be celebrated and appreciated.
”If you’d like to donate to the SDCF in Bob’s honour you can do so by making an online donation at endowmanitoba.ca and clicking on ‘Make a Gift to My Foundation’. Or you can call the SDCF (204-785-9755) and someone will assist you with your donation.
