The first annual All Day, All fore Good golf marathon, hosted by Jones Insurance, has swung into the record books, raising more than $35,000 for the Wilderness Discovery Centre – an accessible retreat that helps individuals with disabilities enjoy the beauty of Northwestern Ontario’s outdoors.

On July 29, Jones Insurance Owner and Board President for Wilderness Discovery Centre, Jeff Jones, teamed up with professional golfer and Commercial Insurance Broker, Evan DeGrazia, for an ambitious sunrise-to-sunset challenge: playing 72 holes of golf in a single day at Whitewater Golf Club.

The marathon brought together community-minded local businesses, with Evergreen Pharmacy, Inspired Cabinetry, De Bakker Law, and RBC each joining Jones and DeGrazia for one of the four 18-hole rounds. Players weren’t just there for the friendly competition, though – they were working toward a shared goal of expanding access to nature for everyone.

“It was a beautiful day out on the green,” says Johnny De Bakker, of De Bakker Law. “The only thing better than the possibility of crushing Jeff Jones on the golf course was knowing all the proceeds made from this fundraiser will allow those with accessibility needs to experience ‘camp’ in the most Northwestern Ontario sense of the word. And what better way to support community than spending a summer day on the fairway?”

Donations were made through corporate sponsorships, as well as on a per-hole basis, allowing people to donate based on the number of holes completed by Jones and DeGrazia by the end of the marathon.

Jones says the event was about more than raising funds, though. “Giving back isn’t just something we do – it’s our ongoing commitment to the communities we live in, which is why we choose to partner with businesses striving to make a difference,” he explains. “All Day, All fore Good is a collaborative project that supports local initiatives, strengthens community connections, and makes a positive impact in Thunder Bay. Thank you to the partners and sponsors who make events like this possible, and who help us uplift community organizations like Wilderness Discovery Centre. We’re already looking forward to next year!”

For DeGrazia, the day was a perfect blend of passion and purpose. “Supporting Wilderness Discovery Centre means helping more people access the beauty and tradition of Northwestern Ontario summers, with a strong focus on inclusion, accessibility, and safety,” he says.

The All Day, All fore Good golf marathon is set to become a signature annual event for Jones Insurance, with a potential of adding new charitable partners each year. The insurance company prioritizes community initiatives and places an emphasis on making a difference through partnerships and collaborations with other local businesses and organizations. The goal is to help make Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario an incredible place to live, work, and play.

This year’s success has already set a high bar, proving that when the community comes together, great things happen, one swing at a time.