A Look at the First USP Charity Open

Kassi Zaba, Manager - Stakeholder Relations, Utility Safety Partners

On September 9, 2025, USP hosted its first charity golf tournament. It was a perfect day, with clear blue skies, warm sunshine, and a light breeze rustling the trees as golfers arrived at the prestigious Hamptons Golf Club in Calgary.

- View from the club house

This year’s tournament supported BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, an organization that breeds, raises, and professionally trains guide dogs. All net proceeds from the tournament were donated to this life-changing cause, with a total of $17,718 raised thanks to the support and generosity of attendees, sponsors, and supporters!

Upon arrival, golfers were welcomed not only by the gorgeous setting, but also by two very adorable puppies in BC & Alberta Guide Dogs’ training program, Rosco and Ella. Later that evening, Sadie, a sweet graduate from the initial training program who is now undergoing advanced specialized training, joined guests for dinner.

- Rosco

As the tournament got underway, golfers were challenged by the course’s multiple bends, sharp slopes, and strategically placed water hazards. Despite the difficulty, competition was fierce, with most teams impressively scoring under par. It wasn’t all serious business though. Several unique contests added a fun twist to the day, including a challenge to hit the closest shot to a giant stuffed panda and a unique putting competition that required players to use a spade shovel instead of a putter.

In the end, the team from Global Training Centre and Unify Consulting Group came out on top with the lowest score, earning their names on the first USP Charity Open trophy.

- From left: Jon Yumol, Unify Consulting Group; Kyle Eklund, Unify Consulting Group; JR Shelley, Global Training Centre; Deb Shelley, Global Training Centre

We would like to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who made this event possible: our enthusiastic golfers, our generous event sponsors, the amazing staff at The Hamptons Golf Club, and our valued partners who joined us for a day in the sun. Your support made this tournament not just a success, but a truly memorable occasion.

We look forward to welcoming our partners back to the 2026 USP Charity Open in the Edmonton area. We hope you can join us!