By Debbie Gardner PRIME Editor AGAWAM If you've been amazed by the feats of gymnastic prowess at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Booster Club at Tim Daggett's Gold Medal Gymnastics (TDGMG) would like to invite you to help the next generation of would-be Olympians prepare to go for the gold. The club, which coordinates fundraising efforts for the TDGMG boys' and girls' competitive gymnastics teams, is looking for corporate and business sponsors to support a golf tournament fundraiser planned for the Ranch Golf Club in Southwick this October. The club is also looking for 144 golfers to take part in the scramble-format tournament. Proceeds from this first-ever tourney will assist the team in paying meet fees and for equipment upgrades. It will also help pay the way for one of the boys' team members, 14-year-old Jon Deaton, to attend the Olympics Gymnastics Training Facility in Colorado this fall. "Jon is a talented athlete who loves this sport and has a very competitive spirit," said Sue Alves, chairperson of the Booster Club. "And though this tournament will, in part, help defray his expenses, it is also going to support the 49 other boys and girls six of whom were invited to this year's Junior Olympics who train and compete on the team at Daggett's." In keeping with the Olympic season theme, golf tournament sponsorships are available at the team, gold medal, silver medal and bronze medal levels, at amounts that range from $600 to $2,500. These sponsorships include greens fees and dinner for the event (up to two foursomes) tee and/or green sign and promotion of the company in various advertising venues, including the official tournament shirt. The Booster Club is also looking for individuals and small businesses willing to sponsor a golf cart for $250 or a tee or green sign for a donation of $100. The club is hoping to have all sponsorships secured by Aug. 29. Greens fees for individual foursomes are set at $500; individual golfers, $125. This includes dinner and a goodie bag. Tickets to the post-tournament dinner buffet in the Ranch Pavilion, which will include a recap of 2008 Beijing Olympics highlights by Tim Daggett, will be priced at $35 per person. "Tim is working very hard to bring back something special from Beijing just for this event," Alves said. For information on event sponsorships, play signups, dinner tickets and more, contact Sue Alves at 789-6092 or e-mail her at Jalves2222@aol.com with Daggett Golf Tournament in the subject line. The inaugural Tim Daggett Gold Medal Scramble will take place at the Ranch Golf Club in Southwick on Oct. 5. Registration will begin at 11;30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. First and second place prizes will be awarded for winning foursomes, longest drive and closest to the pin. Post-play festivities include a buffet dinner, silent auction for items such as a new snow blower and foursome of golf at the Ranch, a raffle and after-dinner Olympics presentation by TDGMG owner Tim Daggett, 1984 Gold Medal Olympian, renowned motivational speaker and 2008 Olympics commentator for NBC. |