Ponoka recreation society receives large cheque from golf tournament

Ponoka recreation society receives large cheque from golf tournament

Published 11:59 am Thursday, September 17, 2026

The Ponoka Arts, Recreation and Cultural Society (PARCS) is $47,000 closer to its goal of bringing a fieldhouse to Ponoka after receiving a cheque from the Ralph Vold Memorial Golf Tournament committee on Sept. 15.

The inaugural event, held May 23 at Wolf Creek Golf Resort, was very successful with 100 golfers, local business and individual sponsors and others behind the scene coming together to raise precisely $47,543.

“Everyone enjoyed it so we’re planning on second rendition next year,” said Dez Robinson, the tournament chair, adding it’s more than they could have asked for, for a first-time event.

About 150 people came out to the banquet on the first night to support the tournament.

“One-hundred (golfers) was a good number for the first year,” Robinson said.

“It definitely caught a lot of us off guard,” he said.

“It was really nice to see that level of support right off the start.”

The memorial tournament was based on the former cattleman’s tournament, with an added fundraising, charitable-giving component.

The tournament committee wanted to create an event that honoured Vold’s memory as a community-minded individual that was a lifetime board member of the Ponoka Stampede and the founder of Wolf Creek Golf Resort, Robinson explained.

“We wanted to align ourselves with a charity that advocates for arts, recreation and culture,” said Robinson, of the committee choosing PARCS as the tournament’s beneficiary, adding Vold was a sportsman himself.

“We just thought that aligned well with what Ralph stood for and what PARCS stands for,” said Robinson, who is also a PARCS board member.

Robinson is Vold’s grandson. Several of the other tournament committee members are also related to Vold.

“There was definitely a family component to it,” said Robinson, adding as his grandfather started the golf resort and his uncle ran it, a lot of the family grew up on that course, so it was important to hold the tournament there.

PARCS is a non-profit registered charitable organization which raises capital through fundraising events and community donation.

Created in 2017, PARCS was originally the recreation arm for the Town of Ponoka but was later formed into its own registered charity.

Driving the conversation and bringing the right people to the table to make a fieldhouse project in Ponoka possible remains the main goal of PARCS, however, it also supports local sports organizations and works closely with the town.

“Mostly, the dollars being raised right now are going towards the fieldhouse initiative,” said Robinson.

PARCStoberfest

A spin on Octoberfest, PARCS is holding a casual, fun event of community connection, ‘PARCStoberfest,’ on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Stagecoach Saloon.

The Bavarian-themed evening will include food, crafted brews, music and celebration in support of PARCS.

“It’s another event that’s meant to raise money towards this fieldhouse conversation,” said Robinson.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the 18-plus event will run until 2 a.m.

There will be chef-inspired culinary stations featuring traditional Oktoberfest flavours alongside local favourites.

Live music will be provided by The Prairie Dawgs Band.

“Wander from station to station, grab a bite, pull up a seat at one of our harvest-style communal tables, catch up with friends and soak in the atmosphere, and when supper winds down, the night is just getting started,” states the Facebook event page.