WCCC 15th Annual Golf Tournament raises scholarships for students
CALAIS _ Golf and education were on the minds of each and every individual who participated in this past weekends’ Washington County Community College’s 15th annual Golf Tournament and Direct-to-Student Scholarship Fund.
It all played out at the St. Croix Country Club on the River Road. There were two shotgun starts at 7:30 and 1 p.m.
120 golfers, drivers in hand, eyed the classy 2016 GMC truck parked next to Hole #1. Although a few envisioned driving home in it with a hole in one, only a couple of golfers, actually came close to reaching that goal. But alas, the truck went back to the dealership and golfers agreed they would return next year hoping for that elusive but always fantasized about, hole-in- one.
Standing on the patio at the country club, WCCC President Joe Cassidy welcomed golfers and praised golf Pro Mike Ellis and his staff for making the tournament such a success. “Their whole crew is phenomenal, they make this so easy for us to be part of,” he said. “All the money we are raising is going directly to students. It doesn’t go to operating expense or equipment; it goes to young men and women who need help going to college; retooling and retraining for new careers.”
In addition to the sale of the mulligans and the donation jar more than $580 was raised. Also, the winner of the 50/50 draw, Rob Hatch, returned his winnings that totaled $320 to the college’s scholarship fund. Last year, more than 45 students received scholarships as a result of the fundraiser.
Cassidy also praised Ian Pratt, owner of Pratt Chevrolet for his sponsorship and the outstanding prizes offered each year that include not only a new vehicle, but also trips and golf apparel.
Each year 30 four-person teams compete in the annual event, but leading up to the tournament is a fundraising drive where businesses and individuals donate $250 and more to the scholarship fund. The Direct-To-Student fundraiser is just that; all of the money raised goes directly to the students and not into a general fund. As in the past, donors are able to create their scholarship in their name or their business’ name, or in memory of a loved one. To date, more than $9,000 has been raised and more is coming in.
The annual list of donors continues to grow each year and includes: Anne Perry, nurse practitioner and former State Representative, Andel Construction Service LLC, Calais Ace Home Center, Calais Motor Inn, Cassidy Family Book Scholarship, Dunkin Donuts, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, EBS Building Supply, F. Marjorie Hedlund Scholarship, Farrell Family Scholarship, Harold Howland Family Scholarship, International Motel, Ken and Jane Brooks Scholarship, John F. Cassidy, Sr, Family Scholarship, May’s Funeral Home, Mingo Construction, PCT Communications, Riverside Electric, Roger’s Auto Sales, Sunrise Eye Care, Tammi Smith Tax and Accounting, WCCC Student Senate, WQDY, and the St Croix Valley Foundation.
Other donors include: Bar Harbor Banking and Trust Downeast Regional of Lubec. Donors from Eastport include: Federal Marine Terminals, Inc. and the Quoddy Pilots USA.
Although the tournament is over for another year, the fund raising continues. Donors who would like to contribute in the Direct-to-Student scholarship program can send their $250 donation to Tina Erskine at Washington County Community College, One College Drive, Calais, ME 04619. Make checks payable to the WCCC 2015 Scholarship Fund. For more information about the golf tournament or the scholarship program contact Tina at 454-1002.