Sports
Chamber hosts 20th Golf Classic
Monday, 24 September 2012 by Grayson Edds
More than 100 players signed up to play at the 20th Annual Belton Chamber Golf Classic on Monday at Wildfire Country Club, including about 20 active duty soldiers.
"The soldiers come out to play a round of golf with the partners," Chamber President Stephanie O'Banion said. "Jay Taggert coordinates with the units on who is available to come out and play with us."
The event is a chamber fundraising event designed to lower membership dues, but they also support other area foundations such as the Military Family Relations Committee, which supports groups such as the Belton Area Military Spouses Network and Military Town Hall events for families in Belton ISD.
"The purpose of the Military Relations Committee is to give back and reach out to Fort Hood," said programs director Mark Arrazola. "They put on the Meet Belton nights and have started handing out packets of information on activities, sports, before and after school care to new residents who may have a spouse deployed and don't know where to turn."
In order to make this event successful, the Chamber has focused on increasing turnout at the classic since planning began last year.
"This is the largest turnout we've ever had for the golf tournament," said Arrazola, who has been with the chamber for the past six years. This year was his seventh year to participate in the annual golf classic.
Tee-off was at 1 p.m. and the event was set up in a four-person scramble with challenges throughout the course including closest to the pin, where the winner was awarded a putter donated by Jack Hilliard Distribution, and a chance to buy a drive at each of the two eagle shot holes.
They also had an abundance of door prizes, and, of course, three winning teams – 1st, 7th, and 13th.
"It's all about networking and fun," said Arrazola. "Next year's tournament meeting will be in two months to look at how we can further benefit the community and the chamber."
