“The Power of a Tourney”

There is power in a sport like golf and there is power in the act of giving to others in need. What happens when you combine the two? You get “The Power of a Tourney”. Charitable golf fundraisers and foundations that benefit local, regional and national good causes abound this summer, and ellicottvilleNOW has the details on many of them. In no particular order…

Let’s start off with a few that are happening right here in Ellicottville at Holiday Valley Resort’s Double Black Diamond Golf Course. Of course, the Eddie Szpaicher Golf Classic must always be mentioned, even if it’s too late to grab spot in the tournament. (The July 12th event is sold out already for this year, which is a great thing!) Eddie was a well-known local man who loved sports - especially golf - and after his sudden passing in 2012, his family decided to honor him by doing his favorite thing, playing golf. Eddie’s good friend, Jay Stoddard organized the first event and ever since the tournament has gone on to raise funds to award Ellicottville Central School students with over $45,000 in scholarships. They are “looking forward to another tournament this year filled with good friends, great stories and unpredictable weather.”

On August 7th, opening at 11:00am with a shotgun start, Holiday Valley will host the 20th annual Ellicottville Memorial Library Pro Am Golf Tournament. This is a favorite of both local golfers and professional golfers throughout the region. It’s the library’s largest fundraiser of the year, with funds raised going towards providing programs and services to the residents of Ellicottville and the surrounding communities throughout the year. Laura Flanagan, library director said, “We are so pleased that Holiday Valley is committed to supporting the library on an annual basis as we rely on donations to help meet the increased demand for our services.” The library doesn’t just offer the simple pleasure of taking out a good book. It also offers classes, technical assistance, story time for kids, etc. It’s no small thing for the library to offer patrons a place they can “get away from it all” for a few moments during challenging times. To register for your spot in the tournament, reach out to holidayvalley.com.

Coming up in just a couple weeks on June 2nd at Holiday Valley, the Boys and Girls Club of Elma, Marilla & Wales is hosting their annual tournament. This year, it’s been renamed Weeze Memorial 100 Holes of Golf Fundraiser, in honor of Michael “Weeze” Holcomb who passed away this year. He was an unwavering supporter of all the kids in the EMW community and made many contributions to the Boys and Girls Club. Isabelle Peppers, The Resource Development Director said, “He was a truly special person, and we are so grateful to be able to honor him by dedicating this event to him.” Over 32 golfers will challenge themselves to golf 100 holes to raise $1,500 in pledges each, to support the Boys and Girls Club of EMW. Entry includes lodging at Holiday Valley Thursday and Friday night, the full day of golf, lunch, dinner, snacks and golfer gifts. To become a golfer or sponsor this event please visit www. bgcemw.org/100-holes-of-golf or call 716-652-9292.

When talking about annual golf tournaments in Ellicottville, one cannot forget the Italian-American Golf Tournament, now in its 52nd year. Happening June 8-10th at Holiday Valley Resort, the Italian-American Charity Golf Association is committed to raising funds for cancer care treatments, diagnostics and technology. Partnering with The American Cancer Society, UPMC Chautauqua, WCA and the Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, the projects that they are raising money towards are a new Oncology Treatment Room, a Superdimension ILogic System and more. Their goal is to “Stamp out cancer in our lifetime.” The event has become a family tradition with several generations of participants and their families traveling to Ellicottville. Last year their fundraising efforts surpassed $1.5 million in donations. For the full details on the tournament and how to join or sponsor, visit iacharitygolf.com.

Moving out of Ellicottville, the Bartlett County Club in Olean, NY is hosting the Allegheny Highlands Council for their 2nd Annual Good Scout Golf Tournament. The council provides fun, educational programs to more than 1,500 youths who participate in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Exploring activities. The proceeds from the tournament will go towards advancing the mission of the council, which is to prepare young people to make ethical/moral choices throughout their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of South Oath and Law. The tournament takes place on June 12th with a shotgun start of 10:00am. The field is limited to 36 four-person teams with men’s, women’s and mixed divisions. Advanced registration acceptance only; contact the council at 716-665-2697 for more information on cost to participate/sponsor and to register your team.

Just a stone’s throw away, Elkdale Country Club in Salamanca, NY will host a “Big Hole” Tournament August 9th to support P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative. The P.U.N.T. Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides families in Western New York facing pediatric cancer with critical programs that offer financial, practical and emotional support from diagnosis to recovery and bereavement. P.U.N.T. operates with collaboration and guidance from community hospital partners to ensure that every dollar raised gets channeled where it is most needed. Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino is sponsoring the event. To learn more, call Elkdale at 716-945-5553.

Here’s one for the ladies (specifically). CASA of McKean County is hosting the 2nd Annual “Golf Fore Kids” Ladies Golf Tournament at the Pennhills Club in Bradford, PA on July 15th. Registration starts at 12:00pm and the tournament shotgun start is 1:00pm. This is a scramble format, 9-hole tournament and cost is $65 per 4-lady team. All funds will benefit the CASA of McKean County program, which is a non-profit organization that works to help their county’s most vulnerable children (those who have experienced neglect/abuse and are in the foster care system) have a stronger voice in the court system. You can help change a child’s story; reach out to Christy Sullivan at 814-598-9739 or CASA of Mckean County at 814-568-2170 to register for the tournament or see what other ways you can help the cause.

Pennhills Club will also host their 5th Annual Bradford S.A.L. Squadron #108 Golf Tournament on June 10th. There is no need to be an American Legion member to enter. This shotgun start tournament provides annual donations to the Bradford Area and surrounding communities. To sign up just call or text Tim Hulings at 814-558-3193 or Joe Rhoades at 814-596-7359.

Another Bradford, PA course is getting in on the action. The Pine Acres Golf Course is hosting their 5th Annual Golf Fore Heroes Golf Tournament on July 8th. This tournament directly benefits the Wounded Warrior Project. This organization offers support to military veterans who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001. They host a variety of programs and services such as mental health counseling, long-term rehabilitative care and advocacy efforts. You can learn more about the event by visiting Facebook.com/golfforeheroes.

Marten’s Outdoors of Great Valley, NY is sponsoring a four-person golf scramble in Falconer, NY on July 21st. Salamanca Little League Golf Tournament will help the team purchase uniforms and equipment throughout the next sports season. This great cause is just $65 per person or $260 per team and includes green fees, golf cart, food at the turn and dinner back at Marten’s Outdoors. There will be a basket auction, big ticket raffles and 50/50 raffles as well. All proceeds go to help the Salamanca Little League teams. You can sign up at Marten’s Outdoors at 4343 S. Whalen Road, Great Valley NY until July 7th.

Kane Country Club in Kane, PA is again supporting McKean County families in need by hosting their 3rd Annual Mattresses Across McKean County Golf Tournament. The funds raised from the June 17th tournament will help them provide new twin and toddler mattresses to McKean county residents who are in need of beds for their families. Direction and details can be found at the McKean County Mattresses page on Facebook.

Another amazing tournament is Strike Out Leukemia, happening at Cardinal Hills Golf Course in Randolph, NY (78 Conewango Road) on August 27th. The fund was started by Derek Marsh who was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 13 and with a lot of love, assistance and treatment, is now a healthy 26-year-old who wants to help others the same way he was helped. In light of his dedication, The Jamestown Cycle Shop (Team Jock Shop) will again sponsor the tournament and all proceeds will go to help other families facing the same situation and further the battle against leukemia. This is a rain or shine, shotgun start event. Dinner, awards and prizes will take place following the tournament. For full tournament and registration details, they welcome you to contact them at 716-664-4112. Keep in mind that registration is limited to the first 36 teams and the deadline is August 18th.

Also taking place at Cardinal Hills Golf Course is the 13th Annual Cystic Fibrosis Charity Golf Tournament (Dude Open). This four-person scramble event is happening on July 19th and is $75 per player. All proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Buffalo/WNY Chapter. Cost includes golf, cart, lunch on the course, legal beverages, awards, prizes, auction and catered buffet. Contact Stosh at 716-244-0463 or Greg at 716-560-8559 for further details.

Lastly, and again at Cardinal Hills, is the She’s in the Game Scholarship Scramble Golf Tournament, happening with a shotgun start on Sunday, June 4th. The funds from the tournament will go to benefit the graduates of 2023 in the name of JoeI E. Thomspson and Bob Kroon. She’s in the Game is an organization that advocates for the participation in sports for girls that began during Covid when Ken Ricker watched how being able to be outdoors doing sports got his girls active and happy in an uncertain time. He wants to make sure other girls get to have that kind of experience. So far they’ve sent over 100 kids to various camps and raised over $80,000 in scholarships for female athletes. The tournament will award 27 winners with a $1,000 prize each to put towards the next school year. Ken stated, “I’m just honored to be able to advocate for female athletes and I hope everyone else will come out, donate and support them as well.”

This is only a very small sampling of wonderful golf tournaments taking place this season for a cause. This just goes to show that the “Power of a Tourney” should not be taken lightly as these great competitions support so many amazing organizations in and around our communities.

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