Kamloops Brain Injury Association (KBIA) announced their 19th Annual Gur Singh Memorial Golf Tournament set for September at the Bighorn Golf & Country Club. And this year, ARPA Investments (ARPA) will be the title sponsor for the event, showcasing commitment to community, as well as helping provide funding to KBIA’s brain injury programs.
“The KBIA provides crucial work to our community by assisting individuals in vulnerable conditions in having rewarding and enjoyable lives, whether they achieve full recovery or not,” said Joshua Knaak, partner of ARPA Investments. “They have a unique but vital mission and ARPA is honoured to support their work.”
The tournament, named after a well-known local surgeon, Dr. Gur Singh, was first started by him as the KBIA Golf Tournament in 2004, to support the not-for-profit organization. The organization advocates for and provides specialized programs to survivors with acquired brain injuries and has been offering free services such as one-on-one life skills work, advocacy, family and caregiver support, support groups and education, since the 1980s.
Dr. Singh recognized the need for KBIA services and decided to raise funds for the organization through a charity golf tournament. Upon his passing in 2014, KBIA decided to continue Dr. Singh’s legacy and changed the name of the tournament to the Gur Singh Golf Tournament.
According to Danica Wilkinson of the KBIA, the tournament is important to support, either through golfing sponsorship or the online auction from home, as support helps the association continue its programs.
“The monies raised go toward a lot of the fun programs such as cooking and art classes, but also the necessary office costs to run the association,” she said. Wilkinson also expressed her excitement over ARPA’s decision to sponsor the event.
“KBIA is so proud to have ARPA Investments as a Title sponsor as they are such a community-minded organization. We are very lucky to have them on board to not only sponsor and golf, but also be a community partner and go above and beyond, as they always do,” said Wilkinson. “Their two-year commitment to our tournament is also a bonus as it gives KBIA stability in a very unstable time and market.”
For ARPA, being part of the tournament, is a way to make a contribution to Dr. Singh’s legacy and help make a difference in the community.
“ARPA Investments is a leader in our community for reaching out and supporting those in need. Through their many projects, such as the Xchange, Stollery Suites and many more, they have demonstrated time and time again the importance of being there when it matters most,” said Wilkinson. “And they are there for us, too.”
Apart from ARPA, several other businesses in the community will also be supporting the cause. Canada Logo, Zak & Decker, RBC Wealth Management, Engel & Volkers®, Kamloops This Week, Kelson Group, Interior Savings, Interior Vault, United Way, Kamloops Office Systems, and Visual Signs & Printing, are some of the many sponsors for the event.
“As the pandemic is now creating our new-normal, KBIA is so proud to have so many supporters with us as new challenges such as housing and food cost continue to challenge survivors. This year, our goal is once again to sell-out the Gur Singh tournament. We are over 80 per cent sold currently!” said Wilkinson.
The Gur Singh Golf Tournament will be held on September 9, 2022, at the Bighorn Golf & Country Club. The tournament will start at 11 a.m. with a 4-person team scramble format and activities at every hole, plus food and beverages.
There will be a reception at 4 p.m. hosted by ARPA, followed by a dinner at 5 p.m.
For more information on the event, or to sign up as a sponsor: https://www.kbia.ca/gur-singh-memorial-golf-tournament