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| By Courtney Llewellyn Reminder Assistant Editor WILBRAHAM The fifth annual Hampden/Wilbraham Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament is fast approaching. Despite the fact that the tournament is not until Oct. 5, the maximum number of golfers for this event was reached over a month ago. "This is an event coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce and the families and students of Minnechaug Regional High School, with a focus on the education of our children," Janet Murphy, Chamber of Commerce member and Business Manager of Wilbraham & Monson Academy, said. The funds raised from the golf tournament will be presented to the Minnechaug Entrepreneurial Program. The program, which is actually a class offered at the high school, works in collaboration with the Springfield Technical Community College's Entrepreneurial Institute and the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship to teach young adults the necessary skills to start and maintain a small business. Joan Guziec, teacher of the class of Minnechaug, said the students who take the class love it. "We have a student in the top five in competitions in Western Massachusetts every year," Guziec said. "In the past, we've had seven different sections of the class. This year, we have three, made up of about 20 to 25 students each." The funds raised from the golf tournament pay for color printers and high quality paper used for brochures and business cards for those taking the class, as well as several $1,000 scholarships. "This has been very successful since it started five years ago," Murphy said. "We had to cap our total number of golfers at 120. Every year we sell out earlier and earlier." The event will take place at the Country Club of Wilbraham, the day starts at 10 a.m. with the registration of golfers. At 10:30 a.m., a free golf clinic and driving range will be available; lunch will be served at 11 a.m. The actual tournament begins with a shotgun start at noon. Goodie bags filled with items donated by local businesses will be given to all golfers, and the chance to win $5,000 in a putting contest and other prizes for holes-in-one are available. Once the tournament is over, hors d'oeuvres will be served and a cocktail reception will take place at 5:30 p.m., with a raffle following. The tournament would not be possible without sponsors or volunteers. Barbara Perry, Chamber of Commerce chairperson, said 20 volunteers have already signed up to help out, plus members of Minnechaug's Key Club and Entrepreneurial Program. "They help with registration, sit in on hole-in-one holes as witnesses, take bets at the betting hole (where golfers make bets on whether or not they can reach the green on their first shots on a par three), work as spotters, place tee and green signs and manage the putting contest," Perry explained. "We take good care of our volunteers, giving them T-shirts, goodie bags and food. We really appreciate their time." Guziec said students in the entrepreneurial program will be offering their goods and services at the tournament as well. Those interested in learning more about the tournament or becoming a sponsor can contact the Chamber of Commerce by calling 787-1555 or by emailing member Sylvia Poole at poole@myonlinechamber.com. |