Since its creation in 1974 by Don Billsborough, Bryan Carbery, and a group of close friends, the Hugh Carbery Pro-Am Tournament has been a cherished tradition honoring the memory of Bryan’s father. For five decades, this special day of golf has brought the community together and raised more than $560,000 in support of Victoria Hospice. This year tournament, held at Uplands Golf Course on August 25, marked the 50th edition of the tournament.
Victoria Hospice recently spoke to Bryan Carbery about how his family celebrates the annual tournament, and their connection to Victoria Hospice for more than half a century. This is his story, in his own words.
The Beginning
The Hugh Carbery Pro-Am started in 1974 with a small group of my dad’s friends at Uplands Golf Club. They gave me a trophy to signify the winner of a tournament that our pro shop (I was the Assistant Professional at the time) could host in celebration of Hugh Carbery’s life.
To say the least, we never imagined the event would still be going strong 50 years later (we only missed one year due to the pandemic) — and that it would sell out every single year!
Supporting Hospice
When Dad passed away, Hospice did not yet exist, so the funds raised initially went to the Canadian Cancer Society. Sadly, Dad spent his last days in a dark and cold wing of the Jubilee Hospital.
When Hospice was eventually established, it was an easy decision to direct all future proceeds to an organization that relies on public support to operate. Our mother, Vivian, later benefited from the compassionate care Hospice is so well known for in the late 1980s.
A Lasting Connection
Our father’s ashes are spread on the 9th tee — the same spot where he would walk down on Friday afternoons to meet his buddies for a visit.
Uplands Golf Club has truly been a family place for us: Hugh, the patriarch, his three sons (Bryan, Brent, and Brock), and his five grandsons (Harley, Eric, Kacey, Spencer, and Hugh) have all had the privilege of walking the fairways there over the past 50 years.
The Spirit of the Event
At the end of the day, what Don Billsborough (Head Professional), Bruce Rands (Assistant Professional), and I tried to do was create a great day on the course — full of laughter, camaraderie between golf professionals and amateurs, and an opportunity to raise money for a wonderful cause that touches so many lives.