HOULTON, Maine — The 28th annual County Open golf tournament and gala event will once again challenge area golfers, while raising money for a good cause when it tees off Friday, Aug. 11, to Sunday, Aug. 13.
Started by Bob Anderson and a group of golfers back in 1990, the County Open was designed as a golf tournament that would not only help promote both Houlton Community Golf Club and VaJoWa Golf Course in Island Falls, but also serve as a significant fundraiser.
The group chose the Houlton Regional Hospital’s Health Services Foundation as the charity that all proceeds would be donated to since the Health Services Foundation assists with funding for many health care needs in the local area.
“The County Open is one of the largest fundraisers we have for the Health Services Foundation,” said Jackie White, event organizer for the past seven years. Greg Palmer is assisting with the event this year.
The County Open has survived many variations and has helped generate more than $550,000 for the foundation. Last year, the event raised $20,000 for the foundation.
This year, the event will help support the Health Services Foundation with its “Phase III” plans of a $350,000 multi-equipment fundraising effort for Houlton Regional Hospital. Phase III will focus on needs for acute care, ambulatory surgery, the emergency department, Houlton Internal Medicine, the laboratory, obstetrics/labor and delivery services, the operating room, pharmacy, physical and occupational therapy, and radiology.
According to White, addressing the requests of those departments will ensure the best possible options are available for proper diagnosis, treatment and education for the health and well-being of all those needing hospital services.
“The overall campaign will aid 15 different departments by replacing aging equipment, allowing for necessary upgrades to existing pieces and nursing education — a minimum of 34 new pieces,” she said.
The events kick off Friday, Aug. 11, at the Maine Slice restaurant at VaJoWa in Island Falls. The restaurant will donate $1 from every “fish fry special” to the County Open.
A, B, C and Ladies divisions will tee off for an 18-hole tournament on Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Houlton Community Golf Club. First prizes for gross and net for each division will be $150 each (choice of pro-shop credit, Wal-Mart gift cards, or Chamber Bucks). Second place ($100) and third place ($50) will be awarded for each division based on the number of players.
Tee times will be determined based on the number of participants and posted on www.countyopen.com when available or at the courses. Cost is $50, which does not include a cart.
That evening, a dinner and reverse cash raffle will be held at The Lakeside Restaurant at HCGC. Cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with musical entertainment by singer/songwriter Trish King throughout the evening. Dinner and raffle to follow. The cost of dinner is $50 per person, choice of prime rib or baked cod. Raffle grand prize is $2,500 cash. Tickets are $75 each and only 100 tickets sold. In a reverse raffle, the last ticket drawn, not the first, wins.
On Sunday, Aug. 13, the golf action moves to VaJoWa Golf Course with a four-person scramble. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. Cash prizes will be given for gross and net.
Goody bags also will be provided to all golfers and include a 2017 County Open hat and other donated items.
For more information or to donate to The County Open, call White at 521-2150 or visit The County Open website at www.countyopen.com.
