For a while, dark clouds poured rain down on the Granite Ridge Golf Course, soaking the 18th Annual Mike Cherry Memorial Golf Tournament. But as if Mr. Cherry himself was looking down on Milton, Ontario, the rain stopped after five holes and the Canadian Welding Association ended their tournament in the sun.

Just over 50 people took part in the event on August 14, which has been used to raise money for a scholarship fund in Cherry’s name at the University of Waterloo.

Victor Andrisani, the chair of the CWA’s Toronto chapter was impressed with the turnout.

“We were very happy. Even though the weather was bad, everyone still came out and enjoyed themselves and we were really, really pleased with the attendance today… at the end there it was really nice!”

In the past, the tournament has raised $2,500 a year for the scholarship fund.

“Mike was very enthusiastic about the welding industry. What he felt was the welding engineers – there wasn’t enough out there,” Andrisani said.  “And he was really trying to promote at the university level to get welding engineers out there.”

The tournament featured a best-ball format and dinner and was anchored by a special guest appearance from NHL player and ex-Toronto Maple Leaf, John Mitchell.

“I had a great day today. It rained the first four holes but we survived with all pars,” Mitchell said. “Would have been nice if we got a couple birdies but, I enjoyed myself and I got to play with my dad, so that’s always fun.”

Mike Cherry was the former president of WPMAC (Welding Product Manufacturers Association of Canada) and former vice-president of Fibre metal Canada Limited. The scholarship is awarded to a fourth-year student enrolled in the Welding and Joining Specialization in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering program at the University of Waterloo.