CLUB FUNDRAISER: SMALL FIELD, BIG SUCCESS

If success is measured by the number of people who participated in the first ever club fundraiser, it was a mild success, but, if it was measured for the loyalty and appreciation for the club by the people who recognize the value of what they have, then the results are much more encouraging. In its first year, with skepticism by some, the club raised $3,000 -coincidentally the fee for one day course rental on weekends- and will use the revenue for areators for the ponds. There is also an offer, from a loyal member to be named in due time, who promised to make up the difference or buy an additional areator-fountain.

Fifty eight players plus a few members who donated. Some even donated their winnings! The tournament's fee was not very high, only $75 p/player, with 50% of the fee going to the fundraiser. Perhaps, this "test" will become much better in future years. This will be a way to keep dues low and at the same time have a great time, that's for sure!

The list of players and donors at the end of this post, will show many names that you see at the club in a regular basis, many of whom not only play the game, but consistently support the club's facilities and services with their time and additional expenses often eating at the club, organizing events and/or bringing friends to the club. Many call these faces "the faithful few" or "professional volunteers". Lets just say that most of these people are those who usually get involved in the club's activities in a daily basis, whether they are board members or not. We had as young as Ryder Cowan (partnered with Tres Hill for a 65!) and as wise as octogenarian Grady Lantz!

The tournament was organized a little different than the usual 2-Men Scramble that we are all used to. This time, all teams were given a handicap based on a percentage of the two players' combined handicap. If they did not have a handicap, then we "guesstimated" to the best of our ability. The point of the tournament was not about who would win (other than the club, that is), but who would come in and support the spirit and purpose of the idea. The top gross team of each flight was recognized along with the next three net scores.

This year, we called it, "Club's Special", and the names of the players and donors is as follows, and, on behalf of the club, we extend our most sincere thanks to each one of them:

JAMES AINSWORTH, ALEX ALVAREZ, LYNN BAILEY, JOE BELL, MIKE BIBY,
ANDREA BLACKWOOD, AMBER BREWER, BLAKE BREWER, JUSTIN BROWN,
WARREN BROWN, KYLER BUTLER, JACK CHRISTIAN, JACK COODY, ANN COWAN, MICHAEL COWAN, RYDER COWAN, GREG DODSON, DAVID DYSON
ERIC FOX, TOM GILLILAND, BOB GRIFFITH, PAUL GUNKEL, LEEANN HARRISON,
TRES HILL, LARRY HUDGENS, RICHIE INMAN, GARY JENNINGS, BOBBY JOHNSON, AARON KAUK, CHARLIE KAUK, KALEB KEITH, GRADY LANTZ,
LUKE LEWALLEN, ADAM LEWELLEN, RICKY MARR, WES MARSHALL, CRAIG MARTIN, CHASE McABEE, EVAN McELHENEY, BOB MILLER, GREG MINTER,
JASON MINTER, JACK MORRISON, RICKY NAGLE, RYAN OMMEN, KEITH ORR, CRAIG PHELPS, DAVID POOLE, RACHEL POOLE, BART REECE, RUSTY RIDLING, ALLEN ROBINSON, JEFF RULE, JEFF SMOOT, QUINTON SNODGRASS, BRAD SPITZER, DREW SPITZER, TERRY STONE, LEON STUART, "DOC" WARE, BOBBY WECHSLER, RUSTY WILSON, JOE WYNN

The winners were as follows:

"A"
Gross: (60) Rusty Wilson - Aaron Kauk
Net: (55) Tom Gilliland - Bob Miller; (57) Craig Martin - Leon Stuart; (58) Eric Fox - Keith Orr

"B"
Gross: (67) Ann Cowan - Michael Cowan
Net: (59) Ricky Marr - Wes Marshall; (60) Allen Robinson - Larry Hudgens; (61) Bobby Johnson - Grady Lantz.

Again, THANK YOU ALL!