Chamber golf tournament to be held

Golfers who were planning on playing in the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce golf tournament this Saturday, June 26, will have a few more weeks to practice and perfect their swing. At the meeting last Tuesday, chamber members discussed changing the date because of a conflicting tournament taking place on the same day.

With the Montana Rail Link golf tournament also scheduled on June 26, the chamber had decided to push theirs back until July 24. George Bailey said that in the past when the two tournaments have been held on the same day or close together, the chamber gets their corporate sponsors, but doesn't see as many teams out on the greens. And while nine teams of four might seem like a good number, Bailey said that the event is a lot more fun when there's more teams out playing golf. Mary Jo Berry saw no reason why they couldn't postpone the tournament, saying that it wouldn't take much to do so.

This year will mark the 24th Mineral County Chamber of Commerce golf tournament, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. on July 24 at Trestle Creek in St. Regis. So far, the chamber only has around seven teams signed up as of Tuesday.

The tournament was started by Dave Sanchez and was conducted as a fundraiser for the chamber. The tournament was first played in Shoshone, Ida., and then later moved to Plains. It was also held in Superior a few times at the Cedar Creek Golf Course back when it was open. Berry said that it has been moved around a bit before finding a home at Trestle Creek.

Guy Gould, who also sits on the chamber, said that the money raised goes into everything that the chamber does. He said that he believes the tournament is a great event because it just brings people together for a day of golf on a Saturday.

"I think it is just a friendly atmosphere where people know people," Gould said. "It's a good time to get together and it promotes the chamber."

Berry said that one neat thing about the tournament is it allows people who might never have had the opportunity to golf in a tournament to do so.

"Some of the businesses will actually pay the sponsor fee and then were able to ask different people in the community who wouldn't normally play in the tournament and they actually get to play," Berry said.

From the golfers, to the businesses and the chamber, Gould said that the tournament uniquely "benefits everyone" involved.

Berry said that one of the things they are noticing again this year is the impact of the economy as some businesses haven't been able to sponsor a team or a hole. She said, however, that they have donated other prizes and contributed in other ways. Berry also said that in the past the tournament has raised around $4,000 to $5,000 before paying for what they spent to host the tournament.

"We've done pretty good," Berry said. "We usually have around nine to 15 teams each year."

Last year, the tournament was played by around nine teams, with 14 teams playing the year before last.

One thing that the chamber is really excited for this year is the number seven hole. That's because Kurt's Polaris is sponsoring a hole in one contest with hole seven being the designated hole. If some should manage to hit a hole in one, they will receive $9,000 that they can spend at Kurt's Polaris toward the purchase of an ATV.

"It'd be nice to get one," Berry said. "That'd be pretty cool."

Aside from winning the hole in one contest, golfers will be vying for prizes throughout the day. First place includes a monetary prize as well as no entry fee in next year's tournament. Golf bags, towels and other prizes will also be available.

Teams are made up of four people and early registration by July 17 is only $45.00 per person or $180.00 per team. After that date, it will cost $200.00 a team or $50.00 per person. The price includes 18 holes of golf, barbeque and refreshments. Chamber members agreed that Trestle Creek offers a great place to play golf. The course offers play in the natural forest setting of Montana along the Clark Fork River.

"It's a nice course," Berry said. "And if it's ya nice day with sunshine, you can come down and play 18 holes of golf, win prizes and enjoy food."

To sign up your team for the tournament, contact Berry at 822-4800 or 822-2213. You can also register by calling Gould at 822-3096.