DATES:Jun 23, 2025
Time:5:00am - 10:30pm
Location:River Spirit Golf Club
This unique fundraising event was created by Special Olympics Calgary volunteer, Kevin Leibel.
Kevin started volunteering in Calgary in 2016, and coaches curling in the winter, and softball in the spring. A lifelong golfer, Kevin founded the Sunrise to Sunset challenge in 2018 and raised over $7,000 for Special Olympics Calgary. He golfed 101 holes back where he learned to golf, in Cold Lake, Alberta. Since then, it has continued to grow each year by the number of golfers involved and the dollars raised to support Special Olympics Calgary's weekly sport programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
In 2023, a portion of the funds raised were able to help send 15 Calgary-based Team Alberta athletes to the 2024 Special Olympics National Winter Games which were held in Calgary February 27 - March 2, 2024.
Rough timeline of the day
Gates open at 5:00 am
Tee off around 5:15 amGolfers WALK and are on the course all day, except for breakfast after 36 holes (around 10:30-11am) and supper (around 6pm)
The day will finish at sunset, which is around 10:30pm.
If you are a Special Olympics athlete and would like to join Kevin for a few holes on Monday, June 23rd, please contact Nadine Scotland: nscotland@soalberta.ca to receive more information.
Over the years
Since 2018, Kevin has golfed from dawn to dusk—playing over 100 holes in a day—to raise vital funds for Special Olympics athletes.
What began as a solo challenge has grown into a powerful community effort. With the support of fellow golfers and generous donors, the event has raised over $114,000!
| Year | Holes Walked | # of Golfers | $ Raised |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 101 | 1 | $7,000 |
| 2021 | 108 | 1 | $16,000 |
| 2022 | 78 | 4 | $23,500 |
| 2023 | 90 | 6 | $43,000 |
| 2024 | 72 | 4 | $25,000 |
