Band hopes pipers and drummers come to the fore for Ryan Russell Kilted Klassic Golf Tournament

Since its launch in September 2013, the Ryan Russell Memorial Pipe Band has enjoyed success to the tune of 35 young pipers and drummers, and a group ready to debut in competition at the Georgetown Highland Games in Georgetown, Ontario, Canada, on June 14th.

But the young band is lacking funds, so has organized the “Kilted Klassic” Golf Tournament on June 1st to help them towards their first-year goal of $40,000 for uniforms, drums and everything else required to support a modern competition pipe band.

The Kilted Klassic will be at the Royal Ashburn Golf Club, in Ashburn, Ontario, complete with “lots of food, BBQ lunch and a prime rib dinner,” followed by a silent auction and a chance for a $15,000 hole-in-one prize.

The band is hoping to attract more golfers, either as single players or in complete foursomes for the scramble 18-hole tournament. The event is priced at $200 per player which includes everything on the day. Organizations wishing to sponsor individual golf holes are also welcomed, according to organizer Tracy Porter, a piper with the Grade 3 Toronto Police Pipe Band.

The nonprofit pipes|drums Magazine has stepped up to sponsor a hole, provide items for the silent auction, and, schedule permitting, hack around the golf course and consume much meat on the day.

Those interested in sponsoring or playing in the Kilted Klassic are asked to contact Tracy Porter by email or phone 905-889-6216.

Porter said that wearing a kilt is encouraged while playing, but not mandatory.

The Ryan Russell Memorial Pipe Band was started in tribute to the Toronto Police officer and fan of piping and drumming who died in the line of duty in January 2011. The band has already established an extensive, free teaching program for those younger than 18 years.