Golf Tournament Benefits Boys and Girls Club

Golfers of all ages and skill levels will get a treat this year at the 9th Annual Tee Off for Kids golf tournament, held Saturday, August 8.

For the first time, the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island is moving its annual fundraiser away from the Hilo Municipal Golf Course and over to the Mauna Lani Bay South Course.

“They [Mauna Lani] have been very gracious in helping us put this together,” said Tonya Ozone, board volunteer, marketing chairperson, and resource development co-chair. “We’ve got lots of treats in store for the golfers!”

While the tournament participants get to benefit from the change in venue this year, the real beneficiaries are the children that are supported by the programs offered by BGCBI. Last year’s tournament raised approximately $30,000, with all dollars raised going to support programs already offered by the organization.

“This is one of our signature events, and it really helps us to keep our programs, our operations running year after year,” Ozone explained. “The Boys and Girls Club is 100 percent dependent on community support.”

Tournament organizers are seeking out businesses looking to sponsor the event. This year, gold-level sponsors will be treated to an exclusive, pre-tournament round of golf on Aug. 7 at Kohanaiki. All sponsors will be able to participate in a pupu and cocktail party on that same day.

There are three tiers of company sponsorships, starting from the silver ($300) level, moving up to the gold ($1,250) tier, and peaking at the platinum ($2,500) level. Each sponsorship level gets at least a tee box hole sponsorship and space in the Friday night cocktail party.

The registration fee for each golfer is $150 and comes with an entry into the Par 3 and putting contests, as well as a mulligan. A light breakfast and coffee will be served before the 8 a.m. shotgun start for the full two-person scramble event. Lunch will be provided and an awards ceremony will be held.

In keeping with the tournament’s tradition, the ninth place finisher will receive a grand prize, matching the amount of years the event has taken place. Additionally, a BGCBI Emeritus Challenge will reward anyone who shoots a hole-in-one with a $10,000 prize.

For more information, visit the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island website.