There were no goals, no saves, and no final score – but plenty of Royals made their mark Friday at Uplands Golf Club.
Victoria’s WHL team traded sticks for clubs as they hosted their first-ever alumni golf tournament, drawing a sold-out field of 120 participants.
The day-long event brought together former Royals stars including Joe Hicketts, Matthew Phillips, Steven Hodges, Logan Fisher, Brandon Culter, Jack Palmer and Kaid Oliver, along with current players like hometown defenceman Seth Fryer and forward Escalus Burlock.
More than just a summer gathering, the tournament is part of what the Royals hope becomes a lasting tradition – one that strengthens ties between the team and the broader community.
“This team has been on the Island for over a decade now, and finally being able to have an event like this is just the first step,” said Joey Poljanowski, the team’s vice-president of hockey operations.
The idea, he said, had been on the radar for some time.
“As an organization, one of our core values is bringing people in our community together,” Poljanowski told Victoria News. “When we talk about unique ways to do that, an alumni golf tournament has always been on the list.”
For longtime fans, the day was a chance to rub shoulders with names they once cheered from the stands. And for former players, it was a chance to reconnect – not just with each other, but with the city where their junior careers took shape.
“These players shared some really special experiences as Royals,” said Poljanowski. “Events like this give the community a chance to hear those stories, reconnect with the players they watched grow up, and help connect our current roster with the guys who came before them.”
For Fryer and Burlock, who suited up for the Royals past few seasons, it was an early taste of the kind of legacy they now represent.
“These players come into our organization as young men,” Poljanowski said. “The roles they take on as leaders in the community help shape their playing and post-playing careers. That doesn’t happen without the relationships built here in Victoria.”
While the golf brought everyone together, Poljanowski said the real goal is bigger than what happened on the fairways.
“Events like this are important to emphasize and appreciate those partnerships,” he said. “They allow community members to meet and develop personal relationships with the players – ones that go deeper than just watching them play on the ice.”
The Royals plan to make the tournament an annual event.
