CARIBOU, Maine — The 34th annual Cary Classic Benefit Golf Tournament has a new format.
The tourney has always been a two-day event, but this year it will be held on one day only — Saturday, July 8 — at Caribou Country Club.
“Giving a full weekend in the short summer season in the County is difficult for many golfers,” explained Mary Harrigan, executive director of the Jefferson Cary Foundation. “Going to one day on Saturday also provides us with an option for a rain date on Sunday given our unpredictable weather.”
Katahdin Trust Company is serving as the major sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. Harrigan said that the support of the bank has helped continue the historic tournament.
“We are so grateful to Katahdin Trust Company for their most generous support over the past few years,” said Harrigan, who chairs the planning committee. “Thanks to their support, we have been able to maintain this great golf event and keep it as one of the premier golf tournaments in Maine.”
The tourney has raised over $200,000 to improve health care services at Cary Medical Center.
This year’s tournament features $6,000 in VISA gift card prizes, a $25,000 hole-in-one prize and a chance to win four tickets to the Dell Technologies Championship, held in Boston Labor Day weekend.
Peter Doebener, president of the Jefferson Cary Foundation, said that this is the first time that VISA gift cards have been offered to all of the winners.
“Historically we have given golf equipment and other great prizes, but often the winners already have these items. We believe the gift cards will really be a draw for the event,” he said.
Doebener, who has also played in the tournament, said the event offers golfers a great value beyond the chance to win prizes.
“For their registration fee the golfer gets a free practice round on Friday, 18 holes of golf on Saturday, a beautiful golf shirt, post play reception and a chance to play on one of the County’s pristine nine-hole golf courses,” Doebener said. “The fact that all the funds raised go to the Jefferson Cary Cancer Center makes it all the better. Who among us doesn’t know someone touched by cancer? This is a very special tournament that has built a tradition over more than three decades,” he added.
In addition to the major tournament sponsor, Katahdin Trust Company, the event also features corporate and hole sponsors, and a number of prize or cash sponsors.
“We have sponsors that have been with us for more than 30 years,” said Doebener. “It means so much to the tournament and every dollar counts. This is the major fund raising event for the foundation each year and our sponsors make it all possible.”
Golfers interested in playing in the tournament should register by Thursday, July 6 and are asked to mail their entry fee ($65 for members and $75 for non-members) and handicap to the Caribou Country Club, PO Box 633, Caribou, Maine 04736 or call the club at 493-3933.
Tee-off times are 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Registration fee includes free practice round on Friday, July 7. Golfers can visit www.carymedicalcenter.org/jcf for more information or contact the Jefferson Cary Foundation office at 493-4849.
