Golf tournament to support students entering college

Date: 8/3/2009

By Rick Sobey

Staff Intern



EAST LONGMEADOW What is a better combination than hanging out with friends on a beautiful golf course while helping send high school graduates to college? Coming up with a superior combination might be difficult to find.

The East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce is presenting this combination on Aug. 11. The organization will be hosting the 16th Annual East Longmeadow/ Longmeadow Golf Tournament at Elmcrest Country Club, and the money raised will benefit student scholarships in East Longmeadow.

Tammy Bordeaux, chair of the golf committee, believes that it is important to sign up for this tournament. She feels that many positive results will come out of this day on the golf course.

"Net proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Cheryl Reed Wallace Memorial Scholarship Program, which will help students attend college," Bordeaux said. "Also, this tournament is a great opportunity from a business perspective. It is a networking opportunity in a relaxed atmosphere."

Bordeaux cannot wait for the tournament to arrive. "It will be a day of fun and networking all to benefit a great cause," she said.

According to Sylvia Nadeau-Poole, the Cheryl Reed Wallace Scholarship is presented to "a senior who participated in a Job Shadow directly related to a career area explored. The recipient must have applied to an accredited college/technical school and is entering school in the fall. Applicants are judged on extracurricular activities, job shadows, internships, externships, community service, work experience, academic performance and future plans."

Cheryl Reed Wallace was involved with the Chamber of Commerce for several years. She was on the board of directors prior to becoming the first women president of the East Longmeadow/ Longmeadow Chamber. She then unfortunately lost her battle with cancer.

Foy Miller, a longtime Chamber member and past president, was close to Wallace and misses her dearly. "She was a shining star," Miller said. "She was always willing to help in any way that she could."

Since the tournament started in 1994, $75,000 has been raised for scholarships. According to Bordeaux, there are 60 businesses participating in this year's tournament.

This year is the 16th and final golf tournament, so every participant will receive a commemorative golf t-shirt. The Chamber decided to create a new fundraiser for next year. Members of the board are thinking of a food fest for next year but nothing is set in stone quite yet.

This scramble format golf tournament will begin with lunch at 11:30 a.m. All golfers will tee-off in a shotgun start at 12:45 p.m. When golf is completed around 5 p.m., there will be a cocktail hour followed by dinner.

It costs $125 to play golf and $25 for only dinner. There are also sponsorship opportunities on the tee box, green and golf cart. In order to sign up for the tournament or be a sponsor, contact Poole at 755-1318 or via e-mail at poole@myonlinechamber.com.