Let’s Get Scrambled! – Charity Tournaments Abound
One of the things I look forward to every golf season is playing in a few charitable golf scramble tournaments. Scrambles are held all season long and raise money for worthy causes. It’s a great way to enjoy the game while supporting community initiatives, and that’s why they are so popular.
And the best part is you don’t have to be a good golfer to have a ton of fun. By forming teams in groups of four, it increases the odds that at least one player on the team will hit a quality shot during every rotation, thus helping speed the pace of play. The format also plays to certain golfers' strengths. For example, some people excel at hitting tee shots, while others are better at chipping and putting. A four person scramble gives each player a chance to shine on various shots on any given hole.
For those who may not be familiar with the scramble format, it features teams of four players competing against one another. In this format, each team's players hit from the tee box then the team members choose the best of the four shots for the next shot. All team members then play the second shot from that location, and again choose the best shot. Play continues in this manner until the hole is completed. The team then records its score and maintains that format for all 18 holes.
The atmosphere at scramble tournaments is always outstanding; everyone is excited to play and enjoy a day on the links, as well as receive goodie bags, participate in special contests, and eat a meal following the day’s golf adventures.
One of my favorite scramble memories is from two years ago, when I and three of my golfing buddies, Rick, Dan and Dustin participated in the Forrest G. Whitman Memorial Golf Tournament at the Mt. Kineo Golf Course in Greenville (scheduled this year for August 20th, contact Terri Sleeper at 695-5215 for more information).
We stayed overnight in Greenville and got up early to catch the shuttle boat that took us across Moosehead Lake to the course. Our somewhat mediocre golf performance that day was highlighted by my birdie in front of dozens of people on hole #1. Let me clarify – the “birdie” was actually a large goose that I hit with my tee shot! There was a flock of geese in the fairway, and I hit a low drive that careened off the fairway and smack into the broadside of a goose. For all you animal lovers out there (of which I am one), no need to fear for the goose. I’m pretty sure my ego was more bruised, as the bird appeared to shrug it off as it moved to another fairway. At any rate, that story still surfaces among my friends from time to time.
So, what are you waiting for? The summer is just beginning and you have before you dozens of tournaments from which to choose. If there’s a more fun way to support a great cause, I haven’t found it yet. To get you started I’ve listed just a few tournaments below.
Fourth Annual Fields4Kids Golf Outing
Friday, July 10th
Hermon Meadows Golf Course
8:00am to 1:00 p.m.
Cost is $100 per person and includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, a cart, and beverages during lunch and golf, contests, and prizes.
To learn more about Fields4Kids or to register for the event, please call MJ Ball at 991-8940 or visit their website at www.fields4kids.org.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Golf Classic
Friday, July 17th
Hermon Meadows Golf Course
8:00 a.m.
Cost is $115 per person or $450 for a team of four, and includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, a cart, and other fun features.
To learn more about CMN or to register, please call EMHS Foundation at 973-5055 or go to: www.emhsfoundation.org.
Old Town/Orono Hockey Boosters Tournament
Saturday, July 18th
Hidden Meadows Golf Course, Old Town
Contact Hidden Meadows for more information: 827-4779.
Fourth Annual Joshua Chamberlain Golf Classic
Friday, July 24th
Rocky Knoll Country Club
91 River Road, Orrington
8:30am cannon start
Cost is $60 prior to July 1, $75 after that, and includes greens fees, golf cart, and lunch; plus a variety of contests and a raffle
Please contact Nicole Gogan if you have any questions @ 951.2871 or go to: chamberlainclassic@gmail.com.
Charity Tournament for African Children’s Education Fund
Saturday, July 25th
Hidden Meadows Golf Course, Old Town
Contact Hidden Meadows for more information: 827-4779.
Heroes, Hope, Healing McDonald’s Golf Classic
Monday, August 10th
Penobscot Valley Country Club, Orono
9:00am registration, 11:00am shotgun start
Cost is $150 per person, and includes lobster/steak dinner, greens fees, golf cart, and a variety of special features. Supports the EMMC Raish Peavey Haskell Children’s Cancer and Treatment Center.
For more information, call Doug Quagliaroli at 207.745.2402, or EMMC Foundation at 207.973.5055. You can also go to: www.emhsfoundation.org.
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