4th Annual Bateman Open Raises Thousands for Student Travel and Equipment
The fourth annual Robert Bateman Open golf tournament took place Monday, June 16th, at Ledgeview Golf Course, bringing together local businesses, community members, Bateman alumni, and current and retired teachers and administration from the Abbotsford School District in support of the Robert Bateman Golf Academy.
The event, a partnership between Robert Bateman Secondary and Ledgeview Golf Club, serves as both a fundraiser and a learning opportunity for students. “It’s an opportunity for the kids to learn a little bit about running a tournament as well as raising money for the program,” said Clarke Wismer, Golf Academy Coordinator.
With 20 teams registered across two divisions—one for Abbotsford School District employees and another open to community teams—the tournament embraced a fun, four-player scramble format. The event is expected to raise between $5,000 to $7,000, with all proceeds directly supporting student development through travel, equipment, and facility upgrades.
The Academy has key partnerships with local facilities like Ledgeview and Fraser Glen who provide year-round access to professional training. Head coach Brady Stead and coach Luke McKenzie, both PGA professionals based at Ledgeview, are actively involved in student development.
Beyond the fundraising, the heart of the academy is in its student success stories. “One of our current Grade 12 students joined the Academy in Grade 9 with limited experience, and now she’s signed to play on the UFV Women’s Golf Team,” Wismer shared. “That’s what it’s all about—opening doors for these kids.”
Thanks to generous community support and a shared commitment to youth athletic development the annual tournament continues to grow in size and impact.
The tournament winners from the Open Division came from Sandpiper Contracting. The #Abbyschools Division included former elementary administrator Dan Village, former admin John Gostchalk and Mike Smith both of whom are current academy assistant coaches, and Brady Stead, Head Coach.
For those interested in supporting the Robert Bateman Golf Academy or learning more about the program, please visit Golf Academy | Robert Bateman Secondary.
