PARTNER CONTENT
The greens at TPC Osprey Valley were buzzing last week as October’s Very Own (OVO) brought music, sport and community together for its first-ever OVO Charity Golf Classic.
As a partner in the event, Billboard Canada was on-site as more than 200 guests gathered in Caledon, Ontario, for a day of competition, connection and giving back.
"The event this year was incredible, and this is just the beginning," says OVO CEO Derek "Drex" Jancar. "The best part of it was watching all the people enjoying themselves and seeing all the smiles.
The action started with an 11 a.m. shotgun launch, sending 36 foursomes onto a course lined with brand activations at every hole, including one Billboard Canada hole.
Between swings, guests took part in interactive challenges and collected exclusive giveaways. One of the biggest draws came from above – a helicopter ball drop offering prizes like tickets to any stop on Drake’s tour, courtside seats to a Raptors game and a VIP experience at OVO Fest.
Sarah Del Angel / @sarah_delangel
Known for its ability to shape and push culture, the brand founded by Drake, Oliver El-Khatib and Noah “40” Shebib is continuing to push into new directions while staying rooted to its community, and the OVO Classic was the latest example. The day drew a roster of big guests from OVO including Roy Woods, Smiley, OVO Roxx (Alonzo Thornhill), Niko Carino and OVO CEO Drex. Hosts Tyrone Edwards (eTalk) and Rod Black kept the crowd engaged from the first tee to the final putt.
Every dollar raised went toward the Scarborough Shooting Stars Foundation, the charitable arm of the team in Canadian Elite Basketball League that funds youth programs and scholarships across the Greater Toronto Area.
Smiley at OVO Charity Golf Classic 2025.OVO
"OVO has always invested in the Toronto community and will continue to do so indefinitely," says Drex. "We see this event becoming larger and more impactful every year."
The event was powered by partners OVO Sound, Billboard Canada, Paybilt, Diageo, Liquid I.V., Heap Estrin, OLLY, Rick’s Good Eats and Icon Print, with creative execution by marketing agency That Good.
With its inaugural edition already a success, the OVO Charity Golf Classic is set to become an annual tradition – one that brings together cultural influence with tangible community impact.
