1n 1996 MacNaughton had four small kids and was unemployed when his friend came in and told him: “I’ve got some good news, they’re hiring welders at TrentonWorks.”
“That’s good Walter, but I don’t know how to weld,” MacNaughton responded.
“I’ll teach you, Mike.” MacDonald said.
So MacNaughton borrowed $400 from a family member to complete the necessary course to get the certificate he needed and MacDonald went with him teaching him step-by-step the skills he needed to pass the course and land the job.
“That’s the kind of fellow he was,” MacNaughton said.
MacNaughton kept the job until the plant closed.
MacNaughton remembers another time when MacDonald told him that the back trouble he’d been experiencing was “The Big C.” Cancer took MacDonald’s life at age 47 on Aug. 26, 2000.
Every year since then, MacNaughton has made a point of holding a charity golf tournament in his honour to raise money for the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Society.
“Every year it’s got more and more people involved. We’ve had up to 100 golfers.”
Plans are now in the works for the 17th annual MacDonald Cup for Palliative Care. This year’s tournament will be divided over two days with one event held at Eagles Chance golf course and another at Glen Lovat.
The Eagles Chance Par 3 event will take place on Saturday, July 15, with a tee off time of noon. MacNaughton said they are hoping to have nine four-person teams that day.
The Glen Lovat Golf Tournament, July 16, be a four-person scramble, best ball format. There is room for 18 teams and 72 golfers to take part. The team with the overall low score will receive the MacDonald Cup and four championship jackets. Golf will commence with an 11 a.m. shotgun start.
“You’ve got some guys and girls that are pretty competitive, but probably half the people who are out there aren’t,” MacNaughton said. “They just enjoy themselves and raise some money for palliative care.”
In addition there will be an entertainment event July 15 at the Whitetail Pub in Westville including a 50/50 draw. Tickets are being sold now with the winner getting half the money and the person who sold the winning ticket getting a free trip around Cape George in a Jeep and dinner out at Mother Webb’s.
Highland Ford is also offering a hole in one prize of a car, which MacNaughton believes may draw people.
Another way people can help is by asking that bottles they drop off to Bill Stewart’s Scrap Metals be donated to the cause.
Overall, he hopes the golf tournament and related events will raise $10,000 for the Palliative Care Society.
Dr. Anne Kwasnik, medical director for the Palliative Care Unit at the Aberdeen Hospital, said the money raised is a huge boost, helping people stay in their homes as long as possible when they are in their end of life. Money will help buy things like medical beds, wheelchairs or other necessities that health insurance might not cover.
What’s also special about this event, she said is that it’s a way to keep Walter MacDonald’s memory alive.
“One of the biggest fears people have when they’re dying is that they’re going to be forgotten,” she said.
As long as MacNaughton is able, he will hold this tournament to make sure that MacDonald’s name is not forgotten or his kindness to others.
For registration and more information contact tournament co-ordinator Marlee MacNaughton at [email protected] or Mike MacNaughton at [email protected] or call Mike at (902) 396-1483. You can also visit the 2017 MacDonald Cup Facebook page.
Events
MacDonald Cup Par 3 Golf Tournament
Date: Saturday, July 15
Where: Eagles Chance Golf Course
Tee Off: Noon
Entry Fee: $40 per person
Includes: Clubs, golf balls, 18 holes, steak dinner and admission to the Whitetail Pub fundraiser. Music starts at 4 p.m.
Entertainment: John Spyder Macdonald, Derek & Jesse and a few special guests
MacDonald Cup at Glen Lovat
Date: Sunday, July 16
Where: Glen Lovat Golf Course
Tee Off: 11 a.m.
Entry Fee: $100 per player
Includes: 18 holes best ball format, carts and steak dinner.
