Brantford’s David Hearn was “honoured” Tuesday to receive the Award of Merit for distinguished service to the annual Walter Gretzky/CNIB Celebrity Golf Classic and Charity Auction at the Brantford Golf and Country Club.

“It was a surprise to me that they were honouring me this year,” said the 30-year-old professional golfer, who represents the BGCC on the PGA’s Nationwide Tour.

“I’m honoured to receive it. We do a lot of charity work and to get recognized for it is pretty nice.”

Hearn is a graduate of North Park Collegiate and the University of Wyoming.

He’s been coming to the Gretzky tournament and hitting tee shots off a designated par-five hole for each group in the tournament. The groups pay $20 for the tee shot and the money raised benefits the CNIB.

“I have a lot of fun coming out here and hitting these tee shots and I guess a little bit goes a long way,” said Hearn.

“A lot of people have done a lot for this event and it’s nice that they have considered me as an important part of this event.

“It’s been fortunate that the way my schedule has worked out that I’ve been able to come back every year.”

Brantford businessman Dave Loney and radio host and comedian Jim Jerome were presented with the Dan Gallagher Memorial CNIB Friendship Award.

Loney has been a longtime supporter of the Gretzky tournament.

And Jerome, who has instrumental in raising over $30,000 a year for several years for the Walter Gretzky tournament in Edmonton, has been the emcee for the Brantford event for several years.

The Hella Goreski Memorial Award was presented to Mike Foster, who has been a volunteer with the tournament for the past 15 years.

The 2009 Sponsorship Award was given to Boston Pizza for its involvement with the tournament.

Ed O’Leary appears courtesy of the Brantford Expositor