Turf time raises funds for annual banquet

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kristin Mack
  • 301st Fighter Wing
Fort Worth, Texas --  The 301st Fighter Wing awards banquet golf scramble tournament's debut was a huge hit. It brought together all levels of golfers for food, fun and prizes at the Whitestone golf club in Benbrook, Texas, Sept. 7. 

This event, which was the first banquet fund-raiser-golf tournament at the wing in recent years, was created to raise money for the annual awards banquet in January, but transpired into much more. 

"Everyone had a good time regardless of their skill level," said Maj. Scott McDonald, 301st Fighter Wing plans office. "There were about twelve players who had never picked up a golf club -- it wasn't about winning it was about having fun." 

There was ample participation in the event with the final count only two teams shy of the maximum number of players allowed with 136 players and 34 teams. The players were grouped in fours with over 80 percent of them from the Wing. Eleven commanders represented their squadron group and wings. 

"Even the volunteers were very enthusiastic and did a great job at the holes interacting with the players and raising money," said Major McDonald. "We had a betting hole. Golfers would bet on a hole and if it hit the circle they would double their money. Most winners would just donate their money back to the banquet fund." 

Over 200 hamburgers and 100 hot dogs were served courtesy of Chief Master Sgt. (ret) Joe Cholopisa, who donated most of the food for the event. There were also chips, sodas, beer and waters available to the active players and guests. 

Several local sponsors, squadrons and agencies donated money and prizes for the event. One local car dealer donated a 2007 truck for the hole-in-one winner. Also, hole sponsors had a drawing for some golf bags. 

"Nobody won the truck but everyone left with something," said Major McDonald. "Mike (Master Sgt. Kaldenbach) designed a neat trophy for 12 events -- a commander's bobble head golfer." There is room on the trophy to etch the winning squadron and player names for twelve tournaments, four on each side or block of the square trophy. This year it will read, "2007 LRS Squadron: Lt. Col. Lee Jones, Maj. Scott McDonald and Master Sgt. Mike Kelly. 

LRS walked away with the commander's bobble head this year with a score of twelve under par (60), however there is next year Master Sgt. Michael Kaldenbach, 301st MXS egress section chief, commented. 

The idea for the event was suggested by Master Sgt. Kaldenbach and Major McDonald during one of their routine golfing matches. They thought it would be a great way to raise funds for the annual awards banquet. Major McDonald had planned events such as these at previous bases, around ten total. Master Sgt. Kaldenbach has been planning the annual golf benefit to raise money for the Guard and Reserve emergency assistance fund every year for several years. The event donates the proceeds to an emergency fund designed to assist members of the Reserve and Guard components in the Dallas Fort Worth area in emergency situations. 

A lot of time and hard work brought the idea to fruition, the committee commented. 

Getting senior leadership's approval for this event was a huge factor of the success, Major McDonald said. "A majority of the meetings and flights on tournament day had to be moved to make the event happen and Col. Pottinger gave us his full support." 

"I've been involved in a lot of events but this was by far the best I've ever seen," said Senior Master Sergeant Patricia Roark, 301st Services Superintendent. "Folks got together to raise money and had fun at the same time -- everywhere I looked there were smiles." 

The success of the event could not only be measured in dollars, but also with the overwhelming positive feedback received. However, they did manage to raise $6,000 dollars, which was $1,000 more than the golf event planning committee was hoping to raise. All of this money was turned over to the Chief's group to go directly to the annual banquet find. This will lower the cost of the ticket price for junior enlisted Airman to encourage maximum participation for the banquet. 

The banquet date is set for Jan. 5, 2007 and tickets will go on sale starting on the October UTA.