NHL stars trade hockey sticks for golf clubs in Muskoka to support Special Olympics
NHL star Morgan Rielly traded his hockey stick for a golf club this week in Muskoka to co-host the inaugural Motionball Forty Fore Fall Classic in support of the Special Olympics.
"I've been involved with Motionball for a couple of years, and it's been a true, real connection with these athletes and trying to raise money for Special Olympics is important to me," Rielly said.
And the Leafs defenceman wasn't alone.
"To have some teammates as well is awesome to get that support, and we're looking to win this tournament," Rielly said about his on-ice teammates Sam Lafferty, Auston Matthews, and Mitch Marner joining the 120 golfers in Port Carling Tuesday.
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews plays in a golf tournament in Port Carling, Ont., on Tues., Sept. 5, 2023. (CTV News/Mike Arsalides)
Ryan Colpitts has been a Special Olympics athlete for 16 years and with Motionball for 10 years.
"Motionball is a great organization that really makes sure that the inclusiveness of Special Olympics is there. They run a bunch of different galas and marathons of sports and tournaments like today where athletes really can express themselves and really be who they are and be able to meet different people and sponsors and people who may not have known what Special Olympics was but now want to get involved," Colpitts said.
Motionball chairman and co-founder Paul Etherington noted the tournament isn't about the best scorer but the Olympic athletes. "They're pursuing golf; their goal is to hit the national team in four years, and that's why we're here," Etherington said.
The sold-out event was an overwhelming success, bringing golfers together to compete against Special Olympians and the Leafs' top stars.
"Best golfer out of us? Auston Matthews is an Arizona boy; he's played a lot of golf. We've got Sam Lafferty; he's probably our best player, a scratch golfer. Myself, I'll be in the third spot, and Mitch Marner is in the fourth spot. He's kind of if we need him, he'll come up clutch," Rielly said.
"It's a nice treat you get to see them kind of out of their element and on the course," said golfer Damon Sutherland.
Impressed by the technique of the Leafs on the golf course, Colpitts said he's a proud Leafs fan who hopes the team goes all the way this season.
"The swing pattern is the same, so I think they'll do really well this season, especially if their golf game is just as good as today," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation is the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Judge raises threat of jail in hush money trial as he holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. And if he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
Video captures deadly wrong-way police chase on Highway 401 in Ontario
A new video has surfaced showing a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 moments prior to a fatal crash that killed four people, including an infant and their grandparents.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.