Organizers of an inaugural golf tournament in honour of a beloved educator in Prince Albert say the event was a big success.

Golfers took to the links at the Kachur’s Golf Club this past Saturday for the first ever Victor Thunderchild Memorial Golf Tournament.

Thunderchild, was a proud Plains Cree man and champion of the Cree language who worked at Carlton Comprehensive High School for nearly 30 years. He died due to complications from Covid-19 in 2021.

“We know how much Victor loved golf,” tournament organizer Betty Montgrand told MBC Radio News.

Montgrand spoke on the many places she had golfed with Victor in the years before his passing and described his game as “good with the long-ball.”

“I’m just going to say, he had a lot of fun,” she said.

Montrgrand says she was asked by Victor Thunderchild’s wife to plan the tournament.

“I was really nervous the week leading up to it, because I wasn’t sure how many teams were going to participate and how the prizes were going to come together, but everything worked out.”

In total, 18 teams participated in the first ever tournament with the team known as “Jen’s Angels” becoming the inaugural winners.

Despite the ugly weather on the weekend, Montgrand says spirits were high.

“We had a really good day,” said Montgrand. “It did rain on us a bit, but that didn’t dampen spirits because you could hear the laughter coming from every direction on that course.”

Montgrand says there is plans to have a tournament again next June with a hope to bring in 25-30 teams.

(PHOTO – Betty Montgrand poses with her team at the inaugural Victor Thunderchild Memorial Golf Tournament.  Photo provided by Betty Montgrand.)