There’s nothing like golf and a party – especially when it is in memory of a six-year-old boy who loved both. “Max really loved a good party,” said his mother Amber Robinson. “This tournament pulls together his friends, family and people he didn’t even know, which he would have thought was pretty cool.” The third annual Max Robinson Children’s Foundation Memorial golf tournament is June 10 at Crystal Ridge Golf Course with the majority of the proceeds going to buy a life support machine for the Alberta Children’s Hospital. The tournament’s namesake would have loved the format – mini-golf for the youngsters and a nine-hole tournament for those who like using more than a putter. “We do a mini-golf tournament and a nine-hole tournament for the bigger kids – the adults,” Amber said with a chuckle. “When the mini-golf was built at Crystal Ridge, Max was one of the first to play it. He loved it and we played mini-golf wherever we went. He was really good at it.” The mini-golf course was renamed MaxMan’s Mini Golf when the six-year-old passed. Max died three years ago from complications from e-coli. His mother and family will never forget the care and compassion they received during the Robinsons’ tragedy. “Max was on life-support and the particular machine he was on was purchased by donor funding,” Amber said. “We are actually fundraising for a new life support machine for the paediatric unit. A week after Max passed our daughter was also admitted with that strain of e-coli. “We got a really good sense of the care and the compassion (at the hospital). It goes beyond the facility itself. We took advantage of – and we still do – of their bereavement counselling afterwards. It’s a pretty amazing facility. “And they rely on the community in a big way.” Max was pretty amazing himself. “He was an academically-gifted kiddo,” Amber said. “He excelled at science, math and reading. He liked the individual sports, golf, badminton, he played baseball. A really good sense of humour and wise beyond his years. “We always said he had an old soul.” The tournament and donations made after Max passed have raised around $80,000 for the foundation. The aim is to raise $25,000 this year, to push the total above $100,000. The life-support machine cost $125,000. The funds are in a trust for the hospital. There are approximately 20 spots for the tournament still available as of June 3 in what is a celebration, more than a memorial. “The atmosphere is really amazing,” Amber said. “The day is full of energy, smiles, and really happy. It’s really green, which was Max’s favourite colour. It’s not sad at all.” Some of the proceeds from the event will go to provide a scholarship for an Edison School student, where Max attended. As well funds will help sponsor a Beaver Scout. The cost for the nine-hole tournament is $120 and includes a brunch, cart and goody bag. The cost for children for the mini-golf tournament is $35, which also includes the brunch and activities. Adult mini-golf is $65. There is also a brunch only option of $50 for adults and $35 for children. For more information go to maxrobinson4kids.com
