Groups get into swing of fund-raising with golf events

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Local groups and businesses have gotten into the swing of fund-raising. They are using golf tournaments as a vehicle for promoting themselves and raising money.|ret||ret||tab|

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Critters and cash|ret||ret||tab|

"It's a good way to introduce new people to the zoo," said Melinda Mancuso, public relations/marketing director at Dickerson Park Zoo. "It has also attracted different sponsors than those that have supported some of our other events."|ret||ret||tab|

The zoo, which uses multiple fund raisers during the year, has netted between $12,000 and $14,000 at each of the last three Wild Strokes Golf Tournament, Mancuso said. |ret||ret||tab|

The monies are part of the Friends of the Zoo's annual budget, which largely pays for educational programming at the zoo. |ret||ret||tab|

She considers the tournament, which draws between 100 and 120 people, successful because of "good participation and feedback by sponsors and contributors."|ret||ret||tab|

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Buckbuilding|ret||ret||tab|

The Home Builders Asso-ciation also uses golf tournaments for revenue and glad-handing.|ret||ret||tab|

"Golf tournaments are important to us financially, but they are more important to our members for the opportunity they offer to get together and network," said Matt Morrow, Home Builders Association executive officer.|ret||ret||tab|

The HBA holds three golf tournaments annually and the organization nets about $4,000, he said. |ret||ret||tab|

The Steve Snyder Foundation holds an annual golf tournament to fund scholarships for southwest Missouri journalism students, said Deborah Snyder, executive director. |ret||ret||tab|

The foundation was created in memory of her husband Steve Snyder, who was KOLR news director.|ret||ret||tab|

"A $5,000 scholarship is awarded to one student right now because of funding. In the past we have given two runners-up a $500 scholarship. In three years we've given away $17,000 of scholarship money," said Snyder.|ret||ret||tab|

For the Steve Snyder Foundation the golf tournament is the only fund-raising event. |ret||ret||tab|

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Volunteers, planning|ret||ret||tab|

Successful tournaments depend on many hours of planning and numerous volunteers.|ret||ret||tab|

The Friends of the Zoo has 15 to 20 volunteers on tournament day and 10 to 12 serve on the planning committee, Mancuso said. |ret||ret||tab|

The HBA's fall tournament takes eight to 10 volunteers just to drive goodie carts and check in people on event day, said Morrow.|ret||ret||tab|

Planning can begin as much as a year before the event, starting with booking the golf course. |ret||ret||tab|

"The first tournament we did in three months because we didn't know any better," Snyder said with a laugh. |ret||ret||tab|

"Now we get serious about six months in advance and book the place a year in advance."|ret||ret||tab|

Snyder is "amazed" at the number of fund raising golf tournaments there are "considering how much work they are to do."|ret||ret||tab|

When asked if she would do it all over again choose a golf tournament for fund raising Snyder said, "I've had a lot of fun, met a lot of great people and seen a lot of the same faces year after year. That in itself brings comfort and tears, but to organize a golf tournament no. It definitely is a labor of love."|ret||ret||tab|

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