It was another successful day on the links on Tuesday, as York University Athletics & Recreation hosted the 21st annual Lions Cup golf tournament, presented by TD Insurance, in support of athletic bursaries for York Lions varsity student-athletes. $160,500 was raised through pre-event registration, while another donation of $5,000 was made on the day of the event, bringing the total to $165,500 – a new Lions Cup record.
This year’s event saw 104 golfers take to the greens at King’s Riding Golf Course in King City, Ont., all with the common goal to provide financial assistance to Lions student-athletes. Additionally, a number of York’s student-athletes, those reaping the benefit of the funds raised, actively interacted with the golfers.
As has been the case in previous renditions of the event, this year’s Lions Cup featured several competitions along the course, including driving, chipping and putting accuracy challenges, the longest drive competition, closest to the pin, and a “beat the pro” contest. Student-athletes took this opportunity to foster valuable relationships with professionals in their fields of study as they prepare for careers of their own.
Originally dubbed the Chair’s Cup in 2001, the Lions Cup carries a rich history. Its creators, Marshall Cohen, the former Chair of the York University Board of Governors, his wife Judi, and current chair of the York University Pension Fund Investment Committee and longtime men’s hockey coach Guy Burry, had a visionary goal: to establish an event that not only raised much-needed funds, but also forged bonds and backing among friends, alumni, and other stakeholders. In recent years, under Burry’s leadership, the event has centred on bolstering varsity student-athletes by committing all money raised directly into athletic bursaries for York Lions varsity athletes.
These bursaries are possible thanks only to the generous contributions of returning and first-time sponsors of this year’s tournament. Their support is crucial in cultivating a culture of excellence in athletics and recreation, providing Lions athletes the chance to achieve their goals, both in the classroom and on the playing surface.
For a complete list of this year’s tournament sponsors and donors, please visit the tournament webpage on yorkulions.ca.