Golf benefit to take place in Ecker's memory

Date: 9/21/2009

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW Charity sporting events are nothing new. It seems like every week there's another golf tournament or a 5K road race for some cause. What sets the one scheduled for Sept. 25 at Elmcrest Country Club apart?

"It's for a local boy," Bill Brunelle, chair of the Sgt. Mark Ecker Benefit Golf Tournament, said. "This isn't for some large, national cause. It's for someone who lost his legs protecting us. We're going to celebrate Mark's life."

Earlier this year, Ecker was selected by Homes For Our Troops to receive a brand new, accessible house in his hometown. Fundraising started soon after, with dozens of local volunteers signing onto to help out with the project.

Ecker passed away unexpectedly in July, and there were questions about whether or not fundraising - specifically, through the golf tournament - would continue.

"We lost a lot of support [when he passed away], but his parents wanted us to go forward with [the tournament]," Brunelle explained.

The committee behind the tournament has decided that any funds raised will be split between Homes For Our Troops and a town memorial to honor its veterans. The money donated to Homes For Our Troops would be dedicated to Sgt. Peter Rooney, a comrade of Ecker's who lives in Worthington, Mass.

"There's a lot of interest in a lot of areas for the memorial," Selectman Jim Driscoll stated. "We'll figure it all out after the golf tournament."

The Sgt. Mark Ecker Benefit Golf Tournament will take place on Sept. 25 at Elmcrest Country Club, starting with lunch at 11:30 a.m. A shotgun start to the golfing takes place at 1 p.m., with a cocktail reception following the rounds at 5 p.m. A buffet dinner will begin at 6 p.m.

Prizes for low gross, holes in one, a closest to the pin competition and a longest drive competition will be awarded. There will also be a raffle, a silent auction and a putting contest.

The cost to play is $125 per golfer, which includes a golf cart and the buffet dinner. Those interested in attending the dinner only can purchase tickets for $30 each.

"There's still room for a few more foursomes and sponsors," Driscoll noted. Brunelle added that he's hoping for 25 foursomes to take part in the tournament.

"This is going to be a great event," Driscoll said. "It'll be a great day and it will still honor Mark's memory. It's a unique way to pay tribute to a local hero."

For more information on the tournament, to sign up to golf or to become a sponsor, contact Bill Brunelle at 237-7971.