The teams are registered and the tickets are sold out for this year's Darren McClelland Memorial Golf Tournament. 

While the tournament is hosted by the Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Health Care Foundation, this year's presenting sponsor is RBC Dominion Securities and Wealth Management. In total, 144 golfers will be gathering to celebrate and honour the memory of the late Swift Current Fire Department Fire Chief, Darren McClelland. They will be hitting 18 holes of golf together at the Elmwood Golf Course.

Proud to see her late husband being remembered so fondly by so many people is Nicole McClelland, who gave her blessing for the third installment of this gathering. 

"It's amazing how the community just comes together again and again," said McClelland. "When the DNIF asked me if they could rename the golf tournament to Darren's name, I was of course honoured."

When tickets did go on sale, they sold out in only 15 minutes. The money generated by the tickets and the event itself will be split between local firefighters, EMS, and the DNIF. 

Crystal Imrie, the communications and development coordinator for the DNIF, addresses how the event may be impacted by not having teams at the Chinook Golf Course this year. 

"Because we've gone down to one course this year instead of two, we're not really sure where we're going to be sitting as far as income," said Imrie. "But it's always a huge success, so we're very excited for the day."

With over 30 sponsors, the community seems to still be very excited and supportive of the event. If anyone would like to help keep the tournament going as a sponsor in next year's edition, Imrie encourages them to reach out. 

"If anybody wants to be involved and partner with us, or be a sponsor, the easiest way to do that is to contact us at the office," said Imrie. "Our number is 306-778-3314 and they can talk to any member of our staff." 

For the McClelland family, this tournament serves as a way to celebrate the memory of Darren and the life he lived. The stories people share and the tales of his own exploits in the game of golf always seem to come around during this tournament. 

"He was just such a humble guy that I don't think he would ever have expected this kind of outpouring of love," said McClelland. "He would have been honoured to have the golf tournament named after him and all these people come out for the day to celebrate his memory." 

The event will be on June 7, starting with a toast to Darren at 11:45 a.m.