Brandon University Athletics took it on the proverbial organizing chin when inclement weather washed out the Sunrise Credit Union Bobcat BIRT Cup.
 
After two false starts, the charity tournament proceeded on Friday, August 14 at Wheat City Golf Course but heavy rain forced play to be stopped just before noon.
 
28 teams braved the conditions and teed off in the morning shotgun start while another 30 foursomes were delivered the disheartening news that the course was unplayable for the afternoon.
 
Eagles Nest still hosted supper and many supporters showed up to enjoy the evening while bidding on silent auction prizes. Over $6,000 was generated with Scotiabank matching up to $3,000.
 
Despite the tough break, golfers and sponsors have rallied around the Sunrise Credit Union BIRT Cup with no refunds being requested.
 
This summer's tournament assisted Bobcat student-athletes, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westman, Cartwright's Mac Robinson Community Centre, Elkhorn District Community Centre, KidSport Westman Region, Wawanesa Curling Club and the Wheat City Wrangler Lacrosse Association.
 
Since the Bobcats started running the event, over $600,000 has been raised for local causes.
 
The Sunrise Credit Union Bobcat BIRT Cup has a storied history and was founded by BU hockey alum Scott Hlady and long-time friend Dwayne Gylywoychuk in 2008.
 
Brandon University Sports Wall of Famer, the late Neil Andrews coined the acronym - BIRT - when he was Hlady's baseball coach. It stands for basics, intensity, respect and team.
 
Guild Insurance Group Mulligans 

• DEWALT grass trimmer courtesy McMunn and Yates. WINNER: Laurie Campbell

Raffle Ticket Prizes with Meighen Haddad matching the first $2,000+ in tickets sold.

• Tabletop Blackstone grill from Co-ops of Westman.WINNER: Wes Mayes
• 1 Night at The Stowaway Inn + Toronto Maple Leafs' alumni autographed jersey. WINNER: Norm Bootsman
• Dylan DeMelo Winnipeg Jets' signed jersey + 4 rounds w/ cart at Glen Lea Golf Course. WINNER: Joel Boyd
• Bowling package at T-Birds. WINNER: Cathy Kolosky

Traditional Silent Auction with Scotiabank matching sales up to $3,000:

• Winnipeg Goldeyes Sky Suite (21 tickets) Includes five Victoria Inn one-night stays and four $50 Assiniboia Downs gift cards. WINNER: Finn Druwe.
• Winnipeg Blue Bomber Game Tickets x 2 + Best Western Pembina 1-night stay + Trans Canada Brewing Prize Package. WINNER: Lauren Gryschuk.
• Westman Lumber smoker + 10kg case of ribs courtesy Canada Packers. WINNER: Shaun Woodcock
• Westman Lumber BBQ + 10kg case of ribs courtesy Canada Packers. WINNER: Carberry Sandhills Electric
• Calgary Flames signed jersey. WINNER: Chris Kennedy.
• Wheat City Golf Course 2027 membership. WINNER: Quinton Grindle.
• WestJet roundtrip flight for two + McPhail Travel $250 travel voucher. WINNER: Jaime Pugh.
• Elkhorn Resort 1-night stay with 2 spa passes + paddleboard courtesy Amey Motorsport. WINNER: Jaime Pugh.
• LA Kings signed Joel Edmundson jersey + Spirit Sands Wagon Outfitters ride for two + 2 rounds with cart at Glenboro Golf and Country Club + 2 rounds with cart at Pleasant Valley Golf Club. WINNER: Brad McConnell.
• STIHL chainsaw courtesy Enns Brothers. WINNER: Shaun Woodcock.
• Philadelphia Flyers signed Travis Sanheim jersey + EGO Power leaf blower courtesy Amey Motorsports. WINNER: Logan Towns.
• Vegas Golden Knights signed Mitch Marner jersey. WINNER: Chris Ridgen.
• Vegas Golden Knights signed Mark Stone jersey + Wheat City Golf Course 11-round punch card. WINNER: Matt Packwood.
• LA Kings signed Anze Kopitar jersey + Killarney Lakeside Golf Course 4 x 18-hole rounds plus cart. WINNER: Murray Chapman.
• Ottawa Senators signed Ridly Greig jersey + Poplar Ridge Golf Course 4 x 18-hole rounds plus cart. WINNER: Scott Hlady.
• Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Trevor Harris jersey + Atlas Hotel $250 gift card + 2 Rider tickets with platinum seating and pre-game end zone experience. WINNER: Jen Anning
• Laptop courtesy myITsource. WINNER: Jeff Albert
• Blackstone 13" pizza oven with cooking kit courtesy J&G Homes. WINNER: Jaime Pugh.
• Jon Montgomery autographed beer mug + 2021 Team Canada IIHF World Men's Hockey Championship autographed jersey. WINNER: Chris Kennedy.
• Colorado Avalanche signed Cale Makar jersey + Oak Island Resort 4 x 18-hole rounds plus cart. WINNER: Dave Anning
• Edmonton Oilers signed Leon Draisaitl jersey. WINNER: Brad McConnell

Online/In-Person 5050 – $657.50. WINNER: Glenn Steele
 
Manitoba Blue Cross Putting Green Contest (FREE for Golfers)

• Chance to win: Minnedosa Golf and Country Club 4 x green fees + Dari Isle Drive-In 4 x $25 gift cards. WINNERS: Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Foursome

Various FREE contests on the course with chance to win prizes:

• Hole 1 Longest Putt – Canadian Tire $250 gift card WINNER: Drew Horner. 
• Hole 1 Closest to the Fairway Raft - 55" Hisense Smart TV + $25 Smitty's Sportsline Lounge gift card + $25 Montana's gift card: WINNER: Wayne LaFournie
• Hole 3 Closest to the Pin - 1-Night Stay at the Days Inn + Bowling, pizza and pop package courtesy T-Birds. WINNER: Logan Towns
• Hole 4 - modified par-3 - Closest to the Pin - 4 x stainless steel Booster Juice branded water bottles + 4 x Booster Ball Coupons. WINNER: Laurie Campbell
• Bobcat Splash Chip Challenge at Hole 5 - Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries prize package + The Keg $50 gift card. WINNER: Kelly Marnoch
• Bobcat Bowling at Hole 6 - 4 x $25 Santa Lucia gift cards. WINNER: Universal Truck Accessories
• Hole 7 - modified par-3 - Closest to the Pin - 4 x $25 Boston Pizza gift cards + 4 x Winnipeg Sea Bear hats. WINNER: Drew Horner
• Scotiabank Frisbee Throw at Hole 8 - case of ribs courtesy Canada Packers. WINNER: Richard Shadlock
• Hole 8 - Men's Longest Drive - Golf bag courtesy Crane Steel. WINNER: Dakota Scheirlinck
• Hole 11 Senior 55+ Closest to the Pin – Co-ops of Westman 4 x $25 gift cards. WINNER: Richard Shadlock
• Ring The Bell Challenge at Hole 12 - 4 x stainless steel Booster Juice branded water bottles + 4 x Booster Ball Coupons. WINNERS: Paddock Drilling
• BONUS HOLE (Next to Hole 12 green/Hole 13 tee box) - 2 Closest to the Pin Prize Packages: Pin #1: 4 x stainless steel Booster Juice branded water bottles + 4 x Booster Ball Coupons + 4 x $25 Boston Pizza gift cards. WINNER: Wayne Wilhelm Pin #2: 4 x stainless steel Booster Juice branded water bottles + 4 x Booster Ball Coupons + 4 x $25 Santa Lucia Pizza gift cards. WINNER: Ron Harper
• Lacrosse Challenge at Bonus Hole Area - 4 Mizuno backpacks with Calm Air merch + 4 x $25 Montana's gift cards. WINNERS: Team Dan Ashfield  
• Hole 13 Women's Closest to the Pin – 2 bottles of wine courtesy Century 21 + $100 Shoppers Mall gift card + $25 Smitty's Sportsline Lounge gift card. WINNER: Kellie Marvin
• Hole 15 Longest Putt – Real Canadian Superstore $100 gift card. WINNER: Dante Wilson
• Hole 16 Football Throw – 2 Blue Bomber game tickets + Radisson 1-night stay. WINNER: Brad Roth
• Hole 16 Women's Longest Drive - 2 bottles of wine courtesy Century 21 + $100 Shoppers Mall gift card + 2 rounds with cart at Glenboro Golf and Country Club. WINNER: Laurie Campbell
• Basket Pong at Hole 17 -  TITLELIST Pro V1 golf balls courtesy Golf Brandon. WINNERS: Team Scott Hellyer
• Hole 18 Closest to the vintage Bobcat jersey - JVC Portable Speaker courtesy Extreme Electronics + $25 Smitty's Sportsline Lounge gift card + $25 Boston Pizza gift card. WINNER: Troy Morrison
• JUST BECAUSE: 4 bottles of wine courtesy Century 21 + 4 custom made Bobcat driver head covers. WINNERS: Team Alwin Friesen.
• JUST BECAUSE: 10kg case of ribs courtesy Canada Packers. WINNER: Jaime Pugh.