Georgian College Golf Classic presented by belairdirect shatters records, raising more than $240,000 for student success
Oct. 2, 2026
The 34th Georgian College Golf Classic presented by belairdirect raised a record-breaking $240,000 in net cash proceeds benefitting Georgian students through awards, scholarships, bursaries and essential supports, including the Georgian FoodLocker. The event surpassed all previous fundraising records while reaching another significant milestone: pushing the Georgian Golf Classic’s lifetime fundraising total well past the $2-million mark.
Held Sept. 29 at The Club at Bond Head, the biennial charity tournament welcomed nearly 270 golfers. The tournament was co-chaired by Georgian graduate Addison Wallwin (class of 2015 and 2019) and Graham Ferguson, with the support of a dedicated volunteer organizing committee.
Donors, alumni, corporate partners and community members contributed to the event’s success through event registrations, direct donations, sponsorships, raffle ticket purchases and bidding in the live and electronic auctions.
Thanks to a generous matching gift from presenting sponsor belairdirect, donations were matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000. Donors rose to the challenge, exceeding the match and unlocking more than $50,000 for Georgian students. This support comes at a time when students are facing rising costs for housing, groceries and transportation, often while balancing work and family responsibilities.
“For some students, one unexpected expense can be enough to put their education at risk,” said Kevin Weaver, President and CEO of Georgian College, during the event. “Awards, scholarships and bursaries help remove those financial barriers so students can focus on what they came to Georgian to do: learn, grow and graduate. At Georgian, we want every student to have the opportunity to flourish and thrive.”
Students bring the Georgian experience to the course
Beyond being the focus of the day’s fundraising efforts, Georgian students were at the heart of the event, showcasing the Georgian experience and the hands-on learning central to it.
Massage Therapy students from Georgian’s School of Rehabilitation Sciences provided pre-tournament massages, while students from the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts prepared and served canapés on the course. Students and faculty from the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries were out on the course inviting golfers to contribute to a collaborative art experience, creating one-of-a-kind pieces during the tournament. Cabinetmaking Techniques students and faculty produced custom wooden golf bag tags for participants, while the School of Engineering, Technology and Applied Sciences created custom ball markers and divots.
Students from Pre-service Firefighter Education and Training, Police Foundations, Fitness and Health Promotion and Golf Industry Management supported golfers both on the course and at the clubhouse. Georgian alumni also volunteered their time to support the event.
Members of the Georgian College Students’ Association (GCSA) also hosted on-course hot chocolate stations and spoke with golfers about the Georgian FoodLocker and the important role it plays in supporting students struggling with food insecurity.
During the evening program, Georgian College Students’ Association (Barrie Campus) President Shyla Tighe spoke about the ambition and potential she sees in her fellow students. “Students carry this dream and passion for their future, and sometimes, they don’t know exactly how they’re going to get where they need to be,” said Tighe. “But they have the drive and the intellect. For students to know that you believe in them is everything.”
Community support makes an impact
Significant sponsor support helped drive the success of this year’s Georgian Golf Classic, with 39 sponsors contributing to the record-breaking event.
Georgian extends a special thank you to presenting sponsor belairdirect for its continued partnership and commitment to Georgian students.
Media sponsor Central Ontario Broadcasting also provided on-course entertainment, and Rock 95’s Bryan Flannery served as emcee for the evening program.
Georgian’s top-tier sponsors included Driver-level sponsors Georgian Alumni Association, Matheson Constructors and GuardMe International Insurance; Wedge-level sponsors Honda of Canada Mfg., Magna International, Miller Waste Systems, Innovative Automation and Zenetec Collision, Auto Glass, Car Wash; and Iron-level sponsors Alumo, BDA, BMO, Campus Living Centres, Coke Canada, John Holland and Family and W. S. Morgan Construction Ltd.
Georgian also extends its gratitude to all Ace, Par, Tee and Hole-level sponsors for their generous contributions, as well as the many in-kind sponsors whose contributions helped make the event possible.
Fundraising continues through Oct. 6
While the Georgian Golf Classic has wrapped up for another year, fundraising continues through the WestJet raffle until Tuesday, Oct. 6.
The winner will receive a round-trip flight for two to any regularly scheduled and marketed WestJet destination. Proceeds from the raffle will support Georgian students through awards, scholarships, bursaries and essential resources. Tickets can be purchased through the Georgian College WestJet raffle website until Oct. 6. (Licence RAF1569463)