Charity golf scramble to take place Monday
Duffers from near and far will gather on the links of Alden Pines Monday for a morning of competition for a good cause. For the ninth consecutive year, Alden Pines in Bokeelia will serve as the host site for the annual Butch and Jan’s Labor Day Charity Golf Scramble.
The event will begin with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 7, but all those participating must be at the golf course no later than 8 a.m. to check in before the fun begin. Participants will team up in groups of four golfers to vie for prizes and to earn cash for their favorite charity.
The cost to participate is $30 per person. The entry fee will cover the $20 greens fee and the rest will be divided between the prize for the winning team and the charity pot. Players can either sign up as a four-member team or can register individually and on the day of the event to be teamed up with others in need of additional players to make up a foursome.
According to scramble organizer, Jan Green, last year the event attracted 83 golfers while the previous year 119 players participated.
“Our goal is to have at least 100 golfers this year and with the ability for them to select their favorite charity, we are hoping that we will be able to reach that goal,” said Green.
In addition to taking the top prize, the winning team also will pick a charity of their choice to receive the portion of the money collected from registration fees. The winning purse, as well as the size of the charitable donation, will be determined by the number of entrants for the event. In years past, money raised at this event has been used to create a special scholarship fund, and last year portions of the proceeds went to the Moose Lodge scholarship fund and the Kiwanis scholarship fund.
“While we have traditionally contributed to island charitable organizations, last year we allocated some of the money to help one island resident who was in need of help to pay some medical bills,” said Green. “Our only stipulation to our winning golfers is that the charity they choose this year be dedicated to an island organizations as we are insisting that the money stays here on the island.”
Cash prizes will be awarded to the first and second place team and prizes for third and fourth place will be drawn randomly so that every team participating will have a chance to win.
In addition to the prize for the winning team, all players have several other ways in which to win prizes as well. According to Green, prizes will be given for the longest drive by a man and a woman, the closest to the pin for both men and women and two prizes for men and women for the closest to the pin on a par 3. This year however, the organizers have not solicited any hole sponsors.
“With today’s tough economic times, we have decided not to directly ask any businesses to donate to this event, but if anyone would like to make a donation of any kind to be used in a raffle, it would be greatly appreciated,” said Green.
In addition to the scramble, 50/50 drawings will be held throughout the event with the proceeds to benefit the charity chosen by the winners.
For more information or to make a donation, call Butch or Jan at 283-3669.