:If you’re fond of both golf and Elmira Notre Dame High School, then two upcoming tournaments should suit you to a tee.
On Saturday, May 22, the annual Club ’65 Tournament will take place at Lakeside Country Club in Penn Yan with a 12:30 p.m. starting time. Cost is $75 per person, of which $25 goes to the Notre Dame scholarship fund. The fee includes golf, cart, lunch and dinner. A scramble format will be used.
Larry Hamilton, a Club ’65 Tournament co-coordinator, explained that the event got its name because the school’s Class of 1965 – to which he belongs – wished to memorialize two deceased members, Paul Costic and T.J. McCarthy. The tourney began five years ago and has since grown to include other graduating classes from Notre Dame, with golfers traveling from as far away as Virginia, Maryland and Ohio.
“It’s almost like a little mini-reunion. You get some ‘Hey, so and so, I haven’t seen you since high school,'” said Hamilton, who added that the event now raises an average of more than $3,000 annually for the ND scholarship fund.
The Club ’65 Tournament will take place two weeks prior to the annual Crusader Classic, to be held Saturday, June 5, at Soaring Eagles Golf Course in Horseheads. An 8:30 a.m. shotgun start is scheduled, with three formats to be rotated over 18 holes: captain and mate; four-person scramble; and four-person best ball. Cost is $320 per four-person team or $80 per individual. This includes golf, cart, breakfast, lunch and awards reception. Sponsorships are also available.
Last year’s Crusader Classic raised $8,449, which went toward supporting a variety of programs and needs at the high school. According to Sue LaVelle, ND’s director of annual fund and alumni relations, proceeds have increased by approximately $500 per tournament in recent years.
LaVelle said that the Classic, which often adopts a particular sports theme, will be based this year around hockey – including a long-driving competition where golf balls must be struck with a small hockey stick rather than a club.
“It is a ‘fun raiser’, as opposed to a fundraiser. We try to make it fun,” said LaVelle, who is serving as the tournament organizer.
Noting that rain was an unwelcome visitor at last year’s Classic, LaVelle said she has sent out invites this year stating, “Sunny weather provided with your prayers.”
To register for either tournament, contact LaVelle at 607/734-2267 or lavelles@ notredamehighschool.comFor the Club ’65 event only, you may also contact Larry Hamilton at Lrham@adelphia.net or George Maloney at gmaloney@stny.rr.com
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