Leading the way

Golf and generosity seem to go hand-in-hand this summer.

Friday’s Hillsboro Medical Center Foundation charity golf tournament generated more than $16,000 for the hometown facility.

Now in its 11th year, the annual tournament rallies supporters to a common cause. Golfers and volunteers hit the Goose River Golf Course with two thoughts in mind — have fun and raise a little money for our hospital and nursing home. 

Ideal weather and friendly competition made for a perfect day at Hillsboro’s nine-hole course.

The tournament champions were the Total Ag team, which included golfers with a Hillsboro School connection — cook Mary Beckman, bus mechanic Scott Kelley, teacher Sandy Meyer and secretary Brenda Muller. Their sponsor was Pat Muller.  At least some of the team members were part of a team that finished in last place at a past HMCF tourney. “A worst to first” comeback was applauded by many.

All-in-good-fun extras were found at the junction of Holes 4,5 and 7 — a tiki lounge, a backyard barbecue, a chipping contest and a poker challenge.  A relaxed, playful mood fit the day.

Two avid golfers won chances to win a million dollars — if they sank a hole-in-one on No. 9. Tim Lee’s shot after the morning round veered to the left, far from the green. Tim Luithle took his turn at the end of the afternoon round and landed a beautiful shot on the green a ways from the pin.

The spirit of generosity and fun-for-a-cause continues at the local course. There are two more charity golf tournaments planned there in August.

H-509, Hillsboro School’s Scholarship Foundation, will tee off with their 4th annual event  next Friday, August 1. The past three tournaments have produced $9,400 in scholarships for HHS graduates.

The first Friday in August has proven to be H-509’s biggest fundraising event of the year. The tournament has helped boost the amount of scholarship money awarded seniors each May. This spring total awards jumped from about $26,800 in 2007 to $42,400 in 2008, thanks in part to added golf revenue.

This year’s tournament has 20 teams signed up to play and slew of hole sponsors willing to lend their financial support as well.

Organizers have added a putting contest — sponsored by The Goose River Bank — and a raffle for two pairs of UND hockey tickets to the day’s events.

The 18-hole scramble starts at 9 a.m. next Friday and wraps up in the early afternoon.

The Hillsboro golf course is booked for another tourney a week later. A new school organization, the Blue and White Boosters, will host their first charity golf tourney Friday, August 8.

Organizer Mark Rerick hopes to have 10 teams on the course for the inaugural event. Teams will register at 8 a.m. and tee off to shotgun start at 9 a.m.

The group’s aim is to raise funds for Burro athletic teams and facilities. Initial money will be used to replace championship banners in the Hillsboro Events Center with banners that recognize district and regional champions as well. Future fundraising efforts will focus on funding a new outdoor sports facility as well as other needs in the athletic department.

The August 8 tourney will feature “one big conglomeration of games,” Rerick said. Most holes will have a contest or a chance for a coach to assist with a lower score.

Teams will compete against a team score posted by a group of coaches. There will also be raffles for Burro wear and golf gear.

“For as competitive as the tourney should be, we really expect that competition to take a back seat to enjoying the day,” Rerick said.