Golf-based fund raising wins support

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In recent years, golf tournaments have become a popular way for local charities to raise money. |ret||ret||tab|

It is profitable for the golf courses and easy on the organizers because their job typically ends once they get the sponsors and participants to sign up, according to Alan Cummins, manager at Horton Smith Municipal Golf Course.|ret||ret||tab|

"All they have to do is provide us with the information we need to set up the event, and we take it from there," Cummins said.|ret||ret||tab|

David Neill, president-elect for the Kiwanis Club of Springfield South, echoed that sentiment. Neill organized the third annual Glo-Ball Tournament held July 14 at Horton Smith. Neill said that the work involved is much less than the annual Pancake Day, also sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.|ret||ret||tab|

Thirty-six golfers participated this year in the Glo-Ball Tournament at $50 a head. The cost was about $16 per golfer, with the rest of the proceeds going to the Kiwanis Club. The money raised is earmarked for local youth charities such as the Boys and Girls Club, Boy and Girl Scout groups and the Children's Miracle Network.|ret||ret||tab|

Neill said because golf is a popular sport in this area, it is easy to entice participants. People like the idea of getting something for their money while contributing to a worthy cause.|ret||ret||tab|

The expense to the sponsoring organization is relatively low, Neill said. The only thing, other than the prizes, that the club had to buy was the glow-in-the-dark glo-balls used in the nighttime tournament.|ret||ret||tab|

Cummins said from a revenue standpoint, the golf course likes doing the tournaments. As to the work involved, he said, many of the tournaments are almost easier than the daily workload of signing in individual groups. He is able to set tee times in advance and the payment comes in one lump sum. It's a win-win situation, he said.|ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield Public Schools Foundation held its fifth annual Technology Golf Tournament July 17 at Highland Springs Country Club.|ret||ret||tab|

Paula Hopkins, executive director of the foundation, said sports events make good fund raisers because they bring in people who might not otherwise give.|ret||ret||tab|

Hopkins said the tournament has garnered strong support from businesses in the area.|ret||ret||tab|

"Businesspeople often come out on the course and bring their clients," she said.|ret||ret||tab|

The tournament netted the foundation $35,000 in 1998, $30,000 in 1999 and about $25,000 this year. The money raised is doled out in grants for local educational projects.|ret||ret||tab|

As a side benefit, the tournament offers an opportunity for school administrators to mix with other members of the community. This year, Superintendent of Schools Jack Ernst, along with a couple of other board members, played in the tournament.|ret||ret||tab|

Other participants are enticed by the cause. "People want to help education and this is a fun way to do it," Hopkins said.|ret||ret||tab|

To benefit research on breast cancer, the third annual Rally for a Cure was held in June at Hidden Valley Golf Links in Clever. The tournament is held not only for the money it generates for the foundations it serves, but to increase awareness among women golfers about the importance of early detection of breast cancer.|ret||ret||tab|

Rob and Connie Alberty, managing owners of Hidden Valley, make less profit from this tournament than others they host because they allow the charity to keep more of the money generated by the contest. Connie Alberty is a breast cancer survivor. She said she feels she has a personal stake in the fight to find a cure.|ret||ret||tab|

"We're a for-profit business; we can't do that for everyone," she said.|ret||ret||tab|

The Rally for a Cure tournament is not strictly a local cause, Alberty added. Tournaments like the one at Hidden Valley are held throughout the country each year. |ret||ret||tab|

Total proceeds from this year's event at Hidden Valley were $10,270, she said.|ret||ret||tab|

Alberty said she believes golf tournaments will continue to be a popular avenue for fund raising in this area. People like charity tournaments because they get something for the money that they would otherwise spend to play golf anyway.|ret||ret||tab|

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