Charity golf tournament offers sensory experiences to raise money for kids with autism
Golfers put on different gear to alter their senses at the Maier Centre for Autism Charity Golf Tournament on June 13, 2025. (Evan Klippenstein/CTV News Edmonton)
Golfers teed up in the rain Friday to raise money for kids with autism.
The 12th annual Maier Centre for Autism Charity Golf Tournament took place at the Quarry golf club to raise money for the new Jim Jiwani Autism Academy in Edmonton.
This year's sold-out event was the largest yet with 144 golfers.
'It really speaks to the community's desire to support autism and do what they can to help families in their community,' said Terri Duncan, Children's Autism Services executive director.
The tournament includes a special 'sensory' hole, where golfers don gloves, glasses and other accessories that modify what they see, feel and hear on the course.
'It's really an opportunity for golfers to experience some of what it might be like to have some sensory differences, to be neurodiverse and have different sensory needs,' Duncan said.
Autism golf tournament June 13, 2025
A volunteer uses a horn to distract golfers at the Maier Centre for Autism Charity Golf Tournament on June 13, 2025. (Evan Klippenstein/CTV News Edmonton)
The private school, which costs families about $9,500 per year, was started by Children's Autism Services and opened already at capacity last year.
Jennifer Scott's eight-year-old son was one of the first students at the school. She said it helped bring her son's 'light' back after he started struggling in public school.
'He wasn't getting the supports that he needed,' she said. 'He was regressing. So when he started at this school, he had that community, he had the supports in place to help him understand, grow, feel included, so it changed him and brought back that life.'
Duncan said the tournament's goal was to raise $100,000, with money going to help with scholarships for families at the Autism Academy and a much-needed expansion.
'One in 50 kids in Canada are diagnosed with autism. The need is immense,' Duncan said. 'This year we had capacity for 40 kids, and we now have 80 kids on the wait list … we need to serve more families.'
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