For 20 years, Centennial College’s annual golf tournament has brought together alumni, friends and supporters for a day of golf, connection and giving. This year’s tournament was especially significant, as the event celebrated its 20th anniversary, alongside Centennial’s 60th anniversary.
The tournament took place Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Angus Glen Golf Club, with proceeds supporting improvements to benefit students in the Faculty of Integrated Health and Community Care.
We talked to Linda Barlow, Director of Development and Alumni Engagement, about this year’s tournament and why it has become such an important part of the Centennial community.
A long-standing tradition
Over the past two decades, the tournament has grown into a signature Centennial event. This year, participants got to experience a new venue, the Angus Glen Golf Club. And the college community certainly showed up.
"We reached maximum registration for this year’s tournament," Linda says, "which is a great reflection of the support we continue to receive from our community."
A total of 144 golfers participated in this year’s tournament. That’s a lot of people on the green, so it was a shotgun event, where all players started at the same time, on different holes. A team from KPMG would be the winner, with a score of -11 under par.
There’s more to the day than simply playing a round of golf, though.
"Once everyone is out on the course," Linda says, "there’s plenty happening, including contests, food and beverage stations and sponsor activities. We also have an online auction with some great items and experiences."
Prizes for that online auction included a one-week stay in Italy, and hotel packages downtown, among other prizes. Participants also looked forward to a memorable finish to the day, with the post-tournament reception featuring a helicopter ball-drop.
"Participants were able to purchase a numbered golf ball," Linda explains, "and all the golf balls that were purchased get taken up in a helicopter. The helicopter drops the balls, and the closest to the pin is the winner of the prize."
Making a difference for students
While the tournament was designed to be an enjoyable day for everyone involved, the fundraising behind it has a lasting impact on Centennial students.
"We raised 270,000 for nursing lab updates, and the expansion of the nursing program," Linda says.
"The net proceeds from the tournament this year go directly toward improvements within the Faculty of Integrated Health and Community Care," Linda says. "The funds raised have a direct impact on our students and their learning experience. Thanks to the generosity of our corporate and individual sponsors and supporters, we’ve raised more than $4.2 million to date."
For Linda, the impact on students is what ultimately makes the tournament worth celebrating.
"At the end of the day, it’s about our students," Linda says. "The funds we raise help support their education and learning environment, particularly students preparing for careers in health and community care. Whether you’re sponsoring the tournament, playing in it, bidding in the auction or making a donation, you’re helping support our students. That’s really what makes the tournament so meaningful. We’re having a great time, but there’s also a very important purpose behind it."
As Centennial celebrates 60 years of educating and empowering students, the tournament’s 20th anniversary offered another reason to celebrate the College community. After two decades of bringing people together and raising funds for students, this year’s tournament continued a tradition that combined a great day out with an important purpose.
This year completely sold through, so if you’re thinking of participating in 2027’s tournament, you’ll want to get in touch early, and reach out to Amany Tadros at atadros@centennialcollege.ca to secure your spot!
By: Anthony Geremia