CARIBOU, Maine — The Cary Classic Benefit Golf Tournament will be held July 11 and 12 at Caribou Country Club and for the second consecutive year, Katahdin Trust Company has donated $5,000 as the major corporate sponsor of the event.
The tournament is a benefit for the Jefferson Cary Cancer Center. Cary Medical Center is now completing a major renovation of the former building for specialty clinics and oncology. When completed, the building will be totally dedicated to cancer care.
“The availability of quality health care is crucial to the economic growth of Aroostook County. Katahdin Trust is pleased to again support the Cary Classic Benefit Golf Tournament which raises important funding to improve upon health care services at Cary Medical Center,” stated Jon Prescott, president and CEO of Katahdin Trust Company. “Access to superior health care services is crucial and we’re proud to be a part of the efforts of the Jefferson Cary Foundation.”
The Cary Classic, now in its 32nd year, has become one of the premier golf events of the season and has raised more than $250,000 to improve health care services at Cary Medical Center. Mary Harrigan, executive cirector of the Jefferson Cary Foundation, expressed her appreciation for the support provided.
“We are so pleased that Katahdin Trust Company has continued as our major corporate sponsor,” said Harrigan, who coordinates the annual tournament. “Their support is so important and helps us to maintain the tradition of the Cary Classic and keep the quality of the tournament at the highest level. We so much appreciate the bank’s extraordinary generosity.”
The Cary Classic is a two-day, 36-hole event. The event draws some of the region’s strongest golfers and offers four men’s and two ladies divisions. Approximately $8,000 in prizes are awarded to low gross and low net winners. This year, the tournament will add a unique element with the Cary Classic Aroostook Junior Champion. Jeff Jose, club pro at Caribou Country Club, said that the goal is to attract some of the best junior golfers in the region.
“We have a number of strong junior golfers in the County — both male and female,” said Jose, who has directed the tournament over many years. “We have invited area high school golf coaches to recommend their best players and we hope to draw a number of them to the event.”
The junior players will compete in divisions based on handicaps. The overall low gross scoring junior will win an embroidered green windbreaker, a traveling trophy to display at their school and an engraved glass bowl. The tournament has other unique elements that hope to draw golfers from The County, New Brunswick and beyond.
Each registered golfer will have a chance to win four tickets to the Deutsche Bank Championship, associated with the Tiger Woods Foundation, held near Boston Labor Day weekend. The Cary Classic also features longest drive and closest to the pin competition for men and women. Two hole-in-one prizes will be available, including a $25,000 cash prize and a Cub Cadet riding lawn mower valued at more than $14,000.
Peter Doebener, board president at the Caribou Country Club, said that the Cary Classic is a highlight of the golf season.
“We really look forward to the Cary Classic each year,” said Doebener, who has played in the event in recent years. “Our crew works very hard to get the course in great shape, our tournament committee handles official registration and scoring, and a number of our club members participate in the tournament. Our course is in remarkable condition this year and we are hoping to draw a strong field of players.”
With an entry fee of $75 for members and $85 for non-members, Doebener also said that the Cary Classic is a great opportunity for golfers.
“There is not another tournament that offers the value of the Classic,” said Doebener, who serves on the tournament planning committee. “Where else could you get three rounds of golf, a quality golf shirt, a delicious prime rib dinner, and a chance to win more than $8,000 in prizes for your registration fee? It really is a remarkable value.”
In addition to the two days of tournament play, the Cary Classic also offers a free practice round on Friday, July 10 for registered golfers. Golfers are asked to register for the tournament by Thursday, July 9. To register, call the Caribou Country Club at 493-3933.
