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New golf tournament fundraiser to remember a lost friend in Southern Alberta

Aug 21, 2018 | 10:35 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Land ‘O’ Lakes Golf & Country Club will be playing host to a new golf tournament on Saturday, Aug. 25: The Wolf Classic. 

However, unlike many of the others that it sees through the year, this tournament is organized by a loving and caring group of friends and family to remember Tyler Maerz who lost his life last year after a struggle with mental illness.

Tannis Hanna, the tournament organizer and friend, says Maerz lived and worked in Southern Alberta his entire young life and had an incredible impact on those around him.

“He’s missed by his great number of friends, family and beautiful daughter, Charlie. He was well known for his superior athletic ability from his time as a quarterback on his high school football team to enjoying his summers at the Slo-Pitch fields here in Lethbridge, where he frequently brought his daughter to come watch.”

Maerz’s love for sports was evident in his love for the Philadelphia Eagles, who won the Super Bowl for him this past season. 

“Tyler had a great sense of humour and an easy laugh that attracted people easily, and a very caring, fun-loving nature that kept them around,” Hanna continued. “For reasons well known to those closest around him, he was and is still lovingly referred to as Wolf.”

Although Saturday will play host to the tournament itself at 1 p.m., followed by a dinner at 6 p.m., the Canadian Mental Health Association will also be on hand with information and resources at the request of the organizers.

“The purpose of our tournament will be to raise awareness and funds for the CMHA to limit the heartache this causes so many families, friends and peers. No life can be replaced, and we wish every day that we still had our friend here with us,” Hanna said.

Anyone interested in participating or supporting the first annual “The Wolf Classic” golf tournament can register by contacting Hanna at 403-915-6673 or at thewolfclassicmemorial@gmail.com. Registration for the tournament is $110 per person or $440 for four players.