Thanks to the efforts of club members, donors and sponsors, we experienced another successful golf tournament on September 12th. Preliminary efforts starting with Debbie soliciting Sponsors and Donors resulted in a record amount of responses totaling $2,725. Karen maintained and updated a list of anticipated raffle donations which exceeded the ideal # of items generally offered to players. It was determined by the Golf Tournament Committee that some of the gift cards could be held for the lottery calendar fundraiser to be held later. Several members gathered at Karen and Chris’s home to review the list of items and creatively and attractively assemble them for display at the tournament. We are grateful that Mary maintained the list of registered players, collecting from most players prior to the day of the event with only 2 outstanding reliable players paying on the day of the tournament.
An enthusiastic group of Zonta club members showed up bright and early to erect a tent, a display of over 50 raffle prizes and arrange tables to sell mulligans, 50/50, chance and special raffle tickets. Some brought coolers, tables, signs, pastries, snacks and beverages.
All went smoothly for 42 players to start on the course by 8:35 A.M. Meanwhile Chris K-H and many Zonta members organized the drawing and posting of the raffle and 50/50 winners. Boxed lunches prepared by Cold Spring CC were distributed by club members. The final distribution of raffle prizes was well organized with many pleased participants leaving with some nice and valuable raffle items.
Special $20 cash prizes were awarded to the top male and female who hit their drives closest to the pin/line. The top winning mixed, all female, all male team players with the lowest scores (12 total) were each given $50 cash prizes.
The combined income from sponsors, registration, mulligans, 50/50 and the chance raffle is well over $5000 with credit card fees yet to be calculated. The committee is pleased with the outcome given the decline in players compared to past years.
Feedback regarding the flow for the day and the choice of varied raffle items was all very positive. Disappointment regarding the quality of the boxed lunches was shared and expressed by many players and Zonta members and will be taken into consideration when planning for future tournaments and fundraising activities. Following the tournament at the Zonta meeting on Sept. 14th, some discussion was held regarding other possibilities including a week day tournament that would have reduced expenses and could attract retirees or a nine hole or different format tournament. Other venues are also under consideration as well.
Debbie shared her concern that so many past supporters are aging out or have health concerns and the # of players has been declining every year. She also shared that a fair amount of planning takes place starting in April through September to effect a tournament. Having Karen as Co Chair has really helped share the many responsibilities associated with a tournament and Debbie was most appreciative of all the support provided by club members. Debbie expressed that as a club we need to review both the time and finances that club members devote to fundraising events. We remain a relatively small club and need to be considerate of all that we can realistically expect from club members and the surrounding community who support us.
Karen and I offer our heartfelt thanks to the generosity of club members for all their contributions to effect our 32nd Golf Tournament Fundraiser.
Submitted by:
Debbie Wood and Karen Keough-Huff
Co Chair, Golf Tournament Committee
