Golf outing benefits nonprofit foundation
The golf outing has been a major fundraiser for the foundation for the past 22 years. A shotgun start will begin at 9 a.m. for the four-player team scramble.
A key fundraiser for the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation is set for Thursday, Aug. 11. The 18-hole golf outing at Oak Shadows Golf Club in New Philadelphia raises funds for foundation projects in communities served by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District.
The two entities are entirely separate in their missions and goals, said Shiela Hurley, executive director at MWCF.
“We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which began as a single foundation in the mid-1990s to honor Thomas Hudson, who was very active in enjoying all that MWCD has to offer. After his sudden passing, the foundation grew to include many entities under what eventually became what we are today. A part of our mission is to support the conservancy district itself, but we do a lot in support of the communities we serve,” Hurley said.
Most recently, an MWCF-funded junior sailing camp helped young children learn to sail on Atwood Lake, Hurley said.
“We now include 15 funds within the conservancy foundation umbrella. We are able to provide grant money for projects like shoreline conservation, a new dock at Tappan Lake, safety education and many other things. We work in partnership with vendors to provide safety education and dive training for area emergency service personnel,” Hurley said.
The golf outing has been a major fundraiser for the foundation for the past 22 years. A shotgun start will begin at 9 a.m. for the four-player team scramble. A continental breakfast is included in the entry fee, along with a light lunch and steak dinner after the rounds have been completed.
A brief awards ceremony will follow, with customary prizes for closest to the tee, hole in one, longest drive, longest putt and other achievements on the course. A 50/50 raffle and door prizes also will be included in the day.
“The ending ceremony really is brief,” Hurley said. “We find that at the end of the day’s play, people are pretty much ready to get home to rest. We are generally wrapped up by about 2:30 p.m.”
The maximum number of teams playing is 36, and Hurley said last year’s outing drew 31 teams. The organization hopes to raise about $30,000 from the outing.
Several levels of sponsorship are available and open, from hole sponsorships to silver, gold and platinum participation. The entry fee is $400 per team to play. To register or for more information about the outing or sponsorship, email Hurley at shurley@muskingumfoundation.org.
Hurley said the outing is open to anyone who would like to assemble a team. The deadline for registration is Aug. 3.
While MWCD is funded in large part by fees collected at its many recreational facilities, the separate MWCF gets its funding from charitable contributions and fundraising activities such as this year’s golf outing.
“We do a lot to help with the mission of the district,” Hurley said, “and enable the district to go beyond what would be possible otherwise in support of local communities. After a small beginning, the foundation today plays a major role in the communities the district serves.”
Oak Shadows Golf Club is a par-72 course featuring five sets of tees ranging from 5,172-7,100 yards. The club is located at 1063 Oak Shadows Drive NE in New Philadelphia. Learn more about the club at www.oakshadowsgolf.com.
“Our golf outing is always a fun day for players and everyone involved. We still have room for more teams, and we would like to field the maximum number this year,” Hurley said. “We are grateful for community participation in what is our biggest fundraiser of the year.”