Memorial Hospital hosts 31st Annual Open Golf Tournament

7/27/10

Memorial Hospital held its 31st annual Open Golf Tournament on Thursday, July 22, at the Wentworth Golf Club in Jackson. Split shotgun started at 7:30 am and 1 pm, followed by a “Grazing on the Green” dinner and the awarding of prizes.

Dan Jones, who has been a member of the Tournament’s Golf Committee since its inception, has served as committee chair since 1992. Over the years, the annual event has raised more than $658,000. “Today, the tournament has grown to more than 200 golfers and an impressive list of dedicated sponsors who are motivated to support a great cause,” said Jones.

“The Tournament continues to be the premier tournament in the Valley. Over the years, it has supported special initiatives and purchased critical equipment for the hospital including furniture for the Hospital’s Chemotherapy wing. We have also purchased Defibrillators for Kennett High School and other places throughout the Valley,” said Jones. “This year, proceeds from the event will purchase new state-of-the-art medical equipment for the Hospital.”

Following the tournament, delicious fare was served “under the tent.” The food was prepared by Thompson House, the Red Fox Pub, and by Marty and Pam Sweeney, old time innkeepers in Jackson.

Golf Committee member, Joanne Sutton, who has helped plan the tournament since 1979, said: “When I first joined the committee, there were just two doctors in the hospital. The durability of the idea for our golf tournament has, happily, surpassed everyone’s expectations.”

“Over the years, I’ve met and worked with some fabulous people in the community, and many of them have participated in the tournament year after year,” said Sutton. “As a committee, our main focus has always been that we just wanted the community to know their hospital.”

“Many of the same golfers have come back each year, and we also have many of the same repeat sponsors as well. This year’s tournament is once again presented by the Tolley Group. It’s hard to overemphasize how giving this community is.”

“Over the years, we have been fortunate to have very ‘hands-on’ committee members. They each seem to know just what to do and can be counted on to attend meetings, create the flower arrangements, stuff the goody bags, obtain the giveaways and do everything that’s needed to make the event a huge success,” said Jones.

This year’s committee members included: Roger Clapp, Phil Davies, Bayard Kennett, Nancy Lundquist, Carolyn Minton, Gail Paine, Prudence Plusch, Jonathan Rivers, Pauline Rouillard, Joanne Sutton, Kevin Walker and Jean Webb,” said Jones. “We could not have pulled off this year’s tournament without them.”

Pictured at left are Joanne Sutton, golf committee member and Dan Jones, tournament chair.