One local golf tournament is shining a spotlight on mental health awareness for its fifth annual event. The Andy Buffone Memorial Golf Tournament happens August 23 at Sault Ste. Marie Golf Club.
It promises to be a fun day of golf, but its driving purpose is to raise funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association, which provides recovery-based programs and services to residents of Algoma and Sault Ste. Marie.
The Buffone family spearheaded the tournament, starting with Andy’s son Anthony. The Buffones honoured Andy’s memory after he passed from suicide in March 2020.
This August marks the fifth annual Andy Buffone Memorial Tournament, and the event has raised nearly $75,000 for Canadian Mental Health Association to date. This year, they’re hoping to cross the $100,000 threshold.
Providing the community with hope for mental health outreach
Although the event was named in his father’s honour, Anthony Buffone quickly learned that the golf tournament was for everyone in Algoma and the Soo who deals with mental health issues or has a family member or friend who walks that path.
“We wanted to shine a light on what happened with my dad and turn that into a positive event and trying to create something in his honour,” Anthony Buffone said.
“What I’m starting to see is people are realizing I’m not just doing this for my dad; I’m doing this for the community. I wanted to make a difference and take my experience and turn it into a positive one.”
The funds raised from the tournament have already had a positive impact on the community, benefiting the Canadian Mental Health Association’s ASIST program. This is a suicide intervention training program that trains individuals to help prevent suicide and assist those harming themselves.
Local businesses are still needed for tournament sponsorships
Buffone says they are still looking for local businesses to support the Andy Buffone Memorial Golf Tournament. It’s a great opportunity for a local business owner to attach themselves to worthwhile cause that will have positive ripple effects in the Soo and Algoma.
“We really want as much support as we can from the local business community,” Buffone said. “The biggest thing is we’d like to retain our sponsors from each year, but also gather new sponsors. We’d really like to get the community involved because we want to highlight the importance of mental health in the Algoma region.”
The tournament includes a post-round dinner and reception at Mulligan’s Irish Pub at Sault Ste. Marie Golf Club. There will be prizes for first-place finishers in the men’s, women’s and mixed divisions. Golfers will also be treated to some live music after their meal.
The goal of raising $100K for mental health services in Algoma
What started as a tribute to the late Andy Buffone has now grown to honour not only Andy’s life but also the struggles that each person with mental health issues faces every day. The Buffone family hopes this event not only helps destigmatize mental health struggles, but assists local people in getting the help they need.
“The first year, we never really thought about doing this as an annual thing,” Buffone said. “To be able to raise over $20,000 the first year, we were happy enough. Now that we’re approaching the $100,000 mark, it’s overwhelming and we’re grateful to have the community’s support for such a great cause.”
The outpouring of support from Sault Ste. Marie has proven that most people have a father, mother, sibling, friend or loved one who also walked the same path Andy Buffone did. They are not alone in their struggles and there is always support and a safe space to talk about mental health.
To register your team for the Andy Buffone Memorial Tournament, click here.
Local sponsorships are still available for the tournament. Please contact Anthony Buffone at anthbuff@hotmail.com to inquire.