Broken Balls golf tournament gives big to food bank in Maple Ridge<\/p>\n
Published 3:00 pm Sunday, December 14, 2025<\/p>\n
A group of avid golfers were out on the course for a good cause despite the cold, wet weather.<\/p>\n
The 39th annual Broken Balls golf tournament took place Sunday, Dec. 7, at Maple Ridge Golf Course, raising money and food for the Friends In Need Food Bank.<\/p>\n
There were 126 golfers in attendance.<\/p>\n
\u201cA record\u201d said Alphonse Seward, an original participant whose friend John Johnson founded the event.<\/p>\n
Golfers raised more than $6,400 and 750 pounds of food this year for people in need in the community.<\/p>\n
The tournament was named after the first golf tournament in 1986, a day so cold that their golf balls kept breaking.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a great day and said let\u2019s do it again next year,\u201d said Seward.<\/p>\n
Seward said his son Adam Seward and wife Kelly and members of the Maple Ridge Fire and Rescue have since taken on organizing the event.<\/p>\n
But, he also wanted to recognize Coreen Johnson, John\u2019s wife, whom, he said has given countless amount of her time helping out.<\/p>\n
\u201cJohn and I are still there enjoying less responsibility and being ambassadors,\u201d noted Seward, saying how proud he is of the men and women who keep showing up.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt started out as a bunch of friends just trying to have fun,\u201d said Seward. \u201cAnd it\u2019s still that way in many respects.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seward explained that they don\u2019t rely on sponsorship for the event, although they get some sponsorship for the gifts and prizes they give away at the end of the tournament.<\/p>\n
And, he said, the tournament is not expensive for the players and is a kick-0ff to the holiday season, when the group can get together to have a little fun.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we still pass the hat and do what we can to help our fellow man,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n