Tee-rific story behind annual golf tournament raising funds for youth in Montreal’s Park-Extension
Posted June 16, 2025 3:55 pm.
Last Updated June 16, 2025 6:11 pm.
For over 50 years, Montreal’s Park-Extension Youth Organization (PEYO) has been helping young residents going through tough times — offering guidance through art, culture, and sport.
And to help make all this happen, the team holds an annual golf tournament in support of PEYO’s youth programs.
The fundraiser, all in memory of Nick Skarmountzos, a pillar in the community who dedicated his time for the next generation to flourish.
“His kids came first and then the kids of Park-Extension came first,” said Jo-An Audrey Jette, PEYO’s Executive Director, and Nick’s wife. “This way we raise funds that we could give back to the youth of Park Extension.”
Nick was part of PEYO for over 27 years – from coaching baseball to being their accountant.
The organization was his life – even meeting his wife Jette there.
His friends say that he barely had a minute to himself. But on Quebec’s national holiday – Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24 – PEYO was quiet, and on Nick’s only day off he made time for the other people who mattered to him.
“We did that June 24 of eight years ago, we were 12 guys we got together we were three foursomes, and we did a little tournament just a fun tournament with him,” said Rick Di Gregorio, Co-Organizer of the PEYO Golf Tournament, and one of Nick’s good friends.
“Not to raise money, just a friendly fun tournament,” he added. “We did it for two years.”
“After his passing in 2019,” recalled Di Gregorio. “2020, we started doing a tournament with a whole bunch of friends. We started there was about five foursomes, about 20 friends.”
The tournament then grew and grew – over 100 are already registered to participate this year.
Their goal: to raise $10,000.
“New staff has come in, some have left and it’s weird for me that some of the employees don’t know Nick,” said Jette. “So this is a way that we stay grounded in his memory.”
“(The tournament is) a way to keep Nick’s memory alive,” she added. “But it’s also a way to raise funds so that we can invest them directly into the kids’ activities.”
From a summer camp, to art therapy and sports programs, the non-profit says they help about 15,000 kids every year.
The golf tournament, a way the community can help too.
And it’s filled with breakfast, a great day on the green, a BBQ, raffles and more tee-rific moments.
“It’s a way to give directly back to the youth, every cent is going to make a difference in the life of a child,” said Jette. “There’s no admin costs or anything, the whole profits are going directly to the children.”
For more information or to participate – head to their website or call them at 514-278-7396.
“Today we’re here, tomorrow we don’t know what will happen to us,” said Di Gregorio. “We should cherish the moments as much as possible with our friends.”
PEYO’S annual golf tournament will be in full swing on June 24 at Club de Golf Piedmont — and like Nick, all are welcomed to give helping others a swing.
