On September 9, the Northern Lights Golf Complex in Thunder Bay hosted a remarkable edition of the 1000 Ball Challenge in support of Special Olympics. The event reached a new milestone, raising over $20,000 for the Thunder Bay’s Special Olympic golf programs and Golf Ontario’s GOLF FOR ALL Fund, the highest total ever achieved by a single 1000 Ball Challenge group.
The day was filled with energy and generosity as sponsors, donors, and participants came together to support Special Olympics athletes. From donating prizes, food, gifts, and golfing experiences, to showing up in person, the support made the event truly memorable. One of the standout moments came from Mark Kehl, who accomplished the incredible feat of hitting 1000 golf balls on his own between 10 AM and 4 PM! An extraordinary feat.
Adding to the excitement, the event also featured a 50/50 cash raffle to boost fundraising. Congratulations to Connie from Thunder Bay, the winner of the draw, who generously donated back a portion of her winnings. We are so grateful for her generosity and community spirit.
A congratulations goes out to Tyler Rissanen of Special Olympics Ontario Thunder Bay, who raised more than $5,000 on his own – the highest individual fundraising total of any Thunder Bay team. An incredible accomplishment that truly showcased the heart and dedication behind this event.
A heartfelt thank you goes to all the Special Olympics athletes who participated and fundraised for this important cause. Their enthusiasm and commitment made this day exciting for all who got to participate. Special recognition also goes to Nancy Rissanen, Golf Coach with Special Olympics, who served as the lead organizer. Her leadership and passion were key to making the day a success.
The Thunder Bay community played a vital role in stepping up to strengthen Special Olympics golf programs and contribute to the Golf For All Fund, which provides greater access to the game for all. Reflecting on the event, Nancy shared: “The incredible support we had from the Thunder Bay community made this event so special. Despite the heat, our athletes and participants had a memorable day, with some folk picking up clubs for the first time! We could not have done it without the way this community stepped up.”
A special thank you also goes to the Northern Lights Golf Complex for hosting the event at their beautiful facility. With the success in Thunder Bay, momentum is already building for more 1000 Ball Challenges planned for Northern Ontario, Sudbury, and more in 2026.
Thank you, Thunder Bay! We look forward to seeing you soon.
