It's pretty common for non-profit organizations to run golf tournaments. Most chambers of commerce, trade associations and charitable foundations find them to be both a fun reward for members and volunteers, as well as a good way to augment operating budgets.
The Rhode Island Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors has been running a golf tournament since 1994 (The chapter was formed in 1990). Shortly after the ABC president, Robert Boisselle, left to move to Florida in 2005, a new chapter president, Harvey Simms, helped plan and run the 12th Annual Golf Tournament in August of that year. Harvey would run a total of three ABC golf tournaments before his sudden passing in July, 2007.
Boisselle moved back to Rhode Island in the fall of 2007 and resumed his position as president of ABC Rhode Island in January 2008. At one of the first board meetings upon his return, Boisselle suggested that the Rhode Island Chapter of ABC rename the golf tournament in Harvey Simms' memory, and that a portion of the proceeds be dedicated to a scholarship to be named the "Harvey Simms Memorial Scholarship."
July 22 marks the 7th Annual Harvey Simms Memorial Golf Tournament. The event has moved to and from a number of golf courses over the years, but this is the third time in a row that it will be held at Alpine Country Club. "Giving ABC members and their friends and colleagues the opportunity to play at a first-class, private golf club has proven to be a very popular decision," according to Steve Benfeito, owner of New England Drywall and the 2014 chairman of the ABC/RI board of directors. "Each year, the tournament seems to grow a little bigger. I'm sure the fact that we're helping to fund scholarships has a lot to do with that."
A tournament of this scope can't be run by a small two-person Association office. Boisselle and the chapter's director of training, Kristen Brescia, have a lot of help from a volunteer committee and the board of directors. One thing that makes this tournament popular is the level of prizes, both for placing first, second or third in the competition, and for the many raffles that are held during the dinner that follows golf. And, thanks to the volunteers, all of those prizes are donated...including an LED flat screen TV, iPad mini, Coleman tailgating grill, hundreds of dollars-worth of gift cards (one as high as $300), coolers, beverages,tools and golf equipment.
"Having those items donated by our members helps keep costs down and makes the Harvey Simms Memorial Tournament that much more successful," said Boisselle. "And the number of sponsorships we sell just adds to that." In the early days of the golf tournament, breaking even or making a couple of thousand dollars was commonplace. With the help of the volunteers and the inspiration of honoring the memory of Harvey Simms, the golf tournament has grown into something very special.
A few spaces are still available in the 7th Annual Harvey Simms Golf Tournament, which will begin with lunch at 11:30 a.m. on July 22 at Alpine Country Club. For more information, visit www.abcri.org and click on the tournament in the calendar of events.