Page 20 - GBC Spring 2022 ENG

when the series of mudslides blocked access to Hope. With the highways impassable, the entire community of Hope opened their businesses and homes to help their fellow British Columbians. Bonnie Lamoureux-Cianfagna, who was still in Hope, acted fast and was able to turn their clubhouse into a safe haven for stranded travellers. Anyone in need was invited to enjoy homemade chilli, soup and coffee at the Club and Lamoureux- Cianfagna went so far as to set up rooms with cots and blow-up beds for anyone who might need to stay overnight. Once the weather allowed, the golf club’s parking lot was even used as a helicopter landing pad to evacuate stranded travellers safely back home to the Lower Mainland while roads awaited repair.
In a time of true tragedy, Hope Golf Club instead chose to focus on helping others. Countless neigh- bours and businesses throughout the entire community of Hope stepped up during this time of disaster. Their own town was completely cut off from others, their stores shelves were emptied, but instead of panic, so many chose empathy and helped to care and provide for the hundreds of stranded travellers who had no place to stay. This act of generosity is a beautiful demonstration of the goodness that exists in humanity and once again shows us that even in the darkest of times, there is light.
Volunteers from Redwoods Golf Course, Northview Golf & Country Club, and Ledgeview Golf Club helping to clean up the facilities at Fraserglen.
The town of Hope is not always seen as a destination—it is often a landmark that you pass when driving out of town on holidays; it is the last stop to get gas or grab a quick bite to eat before hitting one of other highways leading through the province. After the severe weather experienced in southern British Columbia this fall, Hope means a little bit more to a whole lot of people. It is a town that took in strangers when they needed shelter. A town that fed hundreds without food and water all while going through catastrophic losses in their very own community. Hope’s selfless actions will be remembered for years to come.
UNITED WE STAND
Looking at the bigger picture, this isn’t just about golf courses. Entire towns were underwater, highways have disappeared, farms and businesses were lost, and people’s entire livelihoods have been ripped away. This natural disaster, one of the worst in Canadian history, truly showed us the power of Mother Nature and the fragility of our province’s infrastructure.
Another matter that has become clear throughout this experience is that when times get tough, the golf course community, whether that looks like other industry members, neighbours, or our beloved regular golfers, know how to come together to support one another and emerge stronger on the other side. The recent flooding across British Columbia is just another example of this deep-rooted strength in our very own golf community. It is something that we should be proud of and continue to foster for years to come.
Golf Business Canada
Photo Credits:
Corrine Allan – page 10, 11, 12 (1, 2, 3), 14 (1), 18 (1, 3, 4) Jenna White – page 12 (4 & 5), 14 (2), 18 (2)
Jerry Rousseau – page 16 (1, 2, 4, 5)
Bonnie Lamoureux-Cianfagna – page 16 (3)
Doug Hawley – page 20
20Golf Business Canada