Special Olympics Cayman Islands and Cayman National are joining forces to present the first ever Eric Crutchley Memorial Annual Golf Tournament.
It is on Friday 20 January at Cayman’s North Sound Club.
Crutchley, a 25-year resident of the Cayman Islands passed away a year ago and the two entities see this golf tournament as a fitting memorial to him while raising funds and awareness for one of his favourite organisations.
Cayman National’s Senior Executive Claudia Welds said: ”Cayman National is honoured to be the title sponsor in support of the first Eric Crutchley Memorial Golf Tournament, which is so very fitting, as we too knew of his passion and heart for the Special Olympics athletes and his drive to see the needs of the organisation being met. The Cayman National family is pleased to join with his SOCI family in paying tribute to his memory through this tournament.”
Crutchley was highly respected in the financial services industry in the Cayman Islands and internationally. He served as president of the Cayman Islands Bankers Association, and was for a decade President and Chief Executive of the Cayman National Group, retiring in March 2004 after co-founding CIFSA, the association that became Cayman Finance, in 2003.
In addition, he had a strong community spirit, giving his time and contributing as a member of boards of organisations such as the National Council of Voluntary Organisations, the Public Services Pension Board and the Pines Retirement Home. He was also a Rotarian.
Crutchley received an MBE in 1992 for his contributions not only to the development of the Cayman Islands financial services industry, but also his extensive services to the community.
It was under the leadership of Crutchley that Cayman National’s long-standing support for SOCI began, with financial support throughout the years. Once he retired from Cayman National, his involvement with SOCI increased as he was chairman of the board of directors, a role he carried out with dedication up until his death.
“He was a tireless advocate for Special Olympics Cayman Islands, and for the athletes he considered as his people” said his widow Cindy. SOCI board member Maxine Everson agrees. “He always put the Special Olympics athletes first and foremost in his decisions. I think his legacy would be that this association that he loved so much will always be alive and kicking in these islands he called home.”
The Crutchley family, Cindy and his sons Jonathan and Michael, continue to support Special Olympics Cayman Islands. They remember his generous spirit and his way of always looking for ways to help others in need. Jonathan recalls him saying often: “You can never say you’ve helped enough….you can never help people enough as there is always going to be someone who needs help.”
Eric’s personality drew people of all walks to him. Volunteers and athletes alike were the recipient of his support and encouragement and SOCI board meetings were lightened by his sense of humour and easy manner while ensuring that the job – making decisions for the benefits of all of the athletes – got done.
“He was the same with the Governor as he was with the smallest of the athletes – courteous, attentive, kind,” said SOCI board member Toni Johnson. “His life was a demonstration of the SOCI motto ‘Inclusion of All’.
At the time of his passing, Eric had already begun working on creating a golf tournament to raise funds for SOCI. An avid golfer himself, it is a fitting tribute to his memory that the event that bears his name has already generated so much interest and is fully subscribed, with all 36 available slots filled.
“SOCI is very grateful for the generosity of the business community,” said SOCI Chairman, Nick Freeland. “We have had a lot of support in teams and individuals signing up for the tournament and donating items for the online auction which accompanies it.”
The golf tournament begins with the Governor Duncan Taylor, Patron of SOCI, making the first stroke at 7.30am on Friday at the North Sound Golf Club, followed by the second stroke by Jonathan Crutchley, who is flying in for the event.
Play begins with shotgun starts at 8am and 1pm.
While all of the golf slots are filled, those wishing to support the fund-raising effort can still make donations as ‘Friends of Eric’ or bid on items at the online auction which will close at 9pm on Friday. Details of the online auction and the tournament can be found at www.soci.ky.
Related Videos
