The second annual Connor Richey Memorial Tournament was held at the Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club on May 23 to honour the memory of Connor, a well-known and well-loved golfer on the Coast who died tragically too young in 2013.
“He was an accomplished golfer and multi-sport athlete, a great kid. His life was cut short by a really crazy accident,” Connor’s mom, Jan Richey, said.
About 100 golfers and 30 volunteers were all on the course wearing lime green (the colour of Connor’s golf bag) at the tournament.
Jim Pringle has been the pro at the golf course for the last 14 seasons. Connor worked at the course for six of those years.
“He was probably the most dedicated young golfer I ever saw. When he decided he was going to take on golf, he just put everything he had into it,” Pringle said. “He was a neat kid, he had a great relationship with all the members of the golf course. They loved his spirit. He worked in the golf shop and knew everybody. [He] just had that – I don’t know what to call it – a love for life. Everybody was just so anxious for him to succeed. We were really expecting great things when he went away to school.”
The winning team was made up of Connor’s close personal friends and twin brother: Bailey Quinn, Jesse Ostrosky, Stuart Richey and Ross Whitmore.
“It’s more of a fun tournament and all about remembering Connor,” Jan said. “This was his golf course, which he spent many, many hours on, so it’s really nice to be here and celebrating him.”
Connor was just a week shy of his 21st birthday and a week short of heading to Texas for a golf scholarship. He was in Vancouver for a Whitecaps game and was waiting for his girlfriend at a Skytrain station when he fell off of a railing and sustained a traumatic brain injury.
Connor was pronounced dead on Aug. 11, 2013. His parents donated his organs, which went to seven people in need, saving their lives.
All of the revenue that comes out of the tournament goes to the Connor Richey Legacy Fund. Although primarily for golf, the legacy funds can go to athletes on the Coast who play other sports as well. Last year the fund raised over $10,000, and while this year the totals aren’t in, Jan estimates them at over $12,000.
“We’ve helped with club fees and tournament fees and equipment,” Jan said. “We sponsor junior memberships at Roberts Creek for the classes. It’s mostly small legacies but that makes a huge difference to some of these athletes.”
