Golf tourney raises funds for dialysis unit

Wayne “Scamp” Morrisseau loved to golf.
The former Couchiching resident was one of the first to get a membership at Heron Landing when it first opened and he later marshaled there.
“He loved golfing,” recalled his brother, Cal Morrisseau. “He loved to be out here whenever he could.”
Other members quickly got to know the outgoing and funny “Scamp” Morrisseau because of his loud voice and boisterous manner. He quickly became one of the more popular club members—famous for the way he indiscriminately teased everyone.
“You could hear him all over the course,” Cal Morrisseau said. “Everybody knew him out here.”
However, it wasn’t until after “Scamp” Morrisseau got sick that the extent of his love for the game of golf became apparent to all.
Following surgery, he developed complications which affected his kidneys and forced him to undergo regular dialysis treatments.
Despite the unpleasant procedure, which left him feeling weak and lethargic, it was not uncommon to find “Scamp” Morrisseau teeing off from the red tees at Heron Landing wearing slippers because his feet were too swollen for shoes.
Sadly, “Scamp” Morrisseau succumbed to his various ailments this past June but the exceptional care and treatment he received from the dialysis unit at La Verendrye hospital here left a lasting impression on the rest of his family.
“It’s [the dialysis unit] been super beneficial for our family and we want to support it in any way we can,” Cal Morrisseau said. “It keeps people here, which is good.”
This past Friday, a group of roughly 60 people—comprised of both family and friends—braved the cold, wet weather conditions to raise money as part of the inaugural Scamp Morrisseau Memorial Golf Tournament for Dialysis at Heron Landing.
“I was kind of worried about that when I first woke up this morning, that we wouldn’t get the participation, but everyone who said they were coming came out,” Cal Morrisseau said.
“No one is complaining about that [the weather] and everyone’s having fun.”
Cal Morrisseau said the excellent turnout for the tournament was slightly ironic in that “Scamp” didn’t like the rain.
“He hated to golf in the rain,” Cal Morrisseau quipped. “It’s just ironic that it’s raining today and miserable. He’s probably up there laughing at us right now.”
Golfers who participated in the event played for a variety of prizes donated by individuals and businesses from both Couchiching and Fort Frances.
(Fort Frances Times)