Fort McMurray Forum

The Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society raising awareness of domestic violence with a day out on the links.

The first annual Celebrity Tournament of Hope set to take place this afternoon at the Miskanaw Golf Club at MacDonald Island Park.

Crisis Society Executive Director Mary Ellen Proctor says the event will support the construction of a new women's shelter, slated to break ground next month.

"The focus of course is always, for any of these events that we have, is to bring awareness to domestic violence, and also to bring awareness to the new facility that we're building. The other piece that we're really wanting to get out there, is that these families go through this trauma, but at the end of the day it does come to an end," said Proctor.

Proctor adds that the new facility is vital for our community as our population continues to grow.

"We need a facility that matches the size of our community, and when you look at other communities our size, and what the plans for the next ten years are, they have facilities such as this to look after their community."

The event features four Canadian professional golfers, including A.J. Eathorne, David Barr, Dan Halldorson and Gail Graham.

144 local golf enthusiasts have also signed up to participate.