On June 11, 2026, BEST returned to the Regional Chair’s Classic, held at Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility in Ajax, Ontario, bringing together community members and local organizations to help advance student success and mental health initiatives across the Durham Region.
Through the years, the tournament has helped raise funds that create opportunities for students at Durham College and Ontario Tech University while also supporting patient-focused programs at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health.
Since partnering with Durham College in 2023, we have had the opportunity to work closely with the institution and gain a greater understanding of the priorities that matter most to its campus communities. Connecting with colleges and universities across Ontario, and seeing the tournament support students at both Durham College and Ontario Tech University, has given us an appreciation for the impact that financial support can have on a student's educational journey, as well as the importance of resources that support mental health and well-being. Participating in the event offered a chance to be part of a meaningful community tradition and to engage directly with the people and organizations driving these causes forward.
For us, events like the Regional Chair’s Classic are a chance to show up for the communities we serve and listen to what they have to say. We take what we hear at these events, study it closely, and shape it into plans and programs that improve the well-being of the people in the spaces we serve.