Chicopee ready to hit the links for the library

6/8/2017 | Chris Miracle

Category: June

The Friends of Chicopee Library’s Golf Committee members Bill Muldoon, Paul Olbrych, John Moran and John Michon.
Reminder Publications submitted photo

CHICOPEE – The time of year approaches once again for a very important cause.

The Friends of the Chicopee Public Library will host their 15th Annual Golf Tournament this year on July 16, starting with lunch at 11:30 a.m. followed by a 12:30 p.m. tournament with a shotgun start at Chicopee Country Club.

The Friends of the Chicopee Public Library was originally formed to raise donations to help build the new Chicopee library. According to golf committee member John Moran, when the building was completed the Friends evolved into supporting the events, activities, and needs of the library that would not be included in their budget. The golf tournament is the library’s largest fundraiser.

The Friends have made contributions to the library that have helped purchase the grand piano, computer hardware and genealogy software, buy and stock a fish tank in the children’s section and restore paintings of prominent Chicopee residents. The Friends leave it to the discretion of the library staff to use contributions to support programs that would not be in their budget.  

The entry fee for the tournament is $90 per golfer, which includes lunch and dinner, a round of golf with cart and gifts.

Among the prizes being offered, top awards include Hole-In-One prizes such as a $250 gift certificate from AG Golf for repairs, a $3,500 gift certificate from Teddy Bear  Pools toward a pool or spa, and a two-year lease on a new GMC Vehicle from Bob Pion Buick-GMC.

New for this year’s tourney, REMAX World Long Drive Finalist Michael Watson will be making an appearance. A three-time World Long Drive Finalist from Marlborough, Watson holds the longest drive recorded in competition of 427 yards and the longest drive on a course of 445 yards.

Every golfer will get the advantage of a long drive from this Charity Golf International Finalist during the round.  

Also, any golfer making a donation to The Friends on the 15th hole, and holes their approach from the CGI’s drive from the fairway for a ‘HOLE-IN-2’ will win a three-day trip for two valued at $5000. The trip includes airfare (for 2) to San Francisco on American Airlines, two nights at the Pebble Beach Lodge and three rounds of golf (for 2) at Pebble Beach, Spyglass and Spanish Bay golf courses.

“This is the largest collection of prizes we have had in the fifteen years this tournament has been held. In the past few years the golf tournament has been our largest fundraiser,” Moran said. “Without events like the golf tournament, the library would not be able to provide those extras that make it so successful and popular among all ages of Chicopee residents.”

If enough players sign up before June 15, there will be an additional “Hit-the-Green” special promotions with gifts including two free Custom Golf Clubs and a free sleeve of golf balls or sunglasses. Prizes also include entry into a drawing for a chance to win a full set of TaylorMade Graphite golf clubs and golf bag.

If not playing in the event, different levels of affordable sponsorship are available as well to choose from: Gold $500, Silver $250, Tee $100 and Memorial $100, or donate a raffle prize- many are needed and welcomed.

Printable applications can be found on www.FriendsOfChicopeePublicLibrary.org. For questions or having an application mailed directly, contact The Friends of the CPL Golf Committee – Bill Muldoon, wcmuldoon@gmail.com or 533-4832; John Michon, jmichon@wmasshomes.com or 537-3452; John Moran, jmoran6458@charter.net or 594-6458; or Paul Olbrych, kpolbrych@msn.com or 592-1055.

Please mail completed registration forms, entry fee and/or sponsorship donations payable to the “Friends of the Chicopee Public Library” by June 15 if possible to: Friends of the Chicopee Public Library, Attn: Golf Tournament, 449 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013.