Chamber golf profits net check to little league
The Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament Scramble at the Fort Myers Beach Golf Club on Jan 22 raised $5,000 for two different organizations to help Beach children. The total profits were split between the Beach Chamber Foundation and the Fort Myers Beach Little League.
According to Event Coordinator Tracey Gore, the profits (minus the overhead) came from player registrations, hole sponsors, raffles, drink tips, give-back donations and several in-game promotions such as ball drops, sandy savers (mulligans), closest to the pin and in the circle. Many thanks go out to all involved.
Before the tournament, Gore sized up the event’s benefits.
“This event is sooo important for our island youth,” she said. “The Little League gives them an outlet to participate in a team, meet people, exercise, learn social skills, build self esteem and more. The Chamber Foundation provides our island kids with college scholarships, Spirit of the Holidays, Easter Egg Hunt and more. This event (raises) funds to help keep these much needed organizations running for our island kids.”
Fort Myers Beach Little League President Charlie Whitehead said the benefit money
may be used to reimburse the costs of replacing cooking equipment inside the ball field concession stand.
“We have a brand new grill and freezers, and everything is nice and clean now. It was badly in need of it,” said Whitehead. “We painted the floors and the walls, too.”
Besides the ‘unusual expenses,’ some of the money may help cover the yearly costs such as baseball and softball equipment. There was a change in a bat rule and an annual supply of baseballs and softballs is needed.
“We are in the middle buying equipment and uniforms,” said Whitehead. “A couple of years ago, little league changed its rules to allow composite bats, and everybody went out and loaded up on those bats. Once the composite bats were broken in, they no longer met the bat-performance-factor ratio that little league requires. So now, you are no longer able to use them anymore.
“We ordered three cases of softballs and 10 cases of baseballs this week so that we can start the season with 10 of each case. Home team has to provide the new baseballs. There’s also a fee we have to pay the little league organization every year as well.
The Beach Little League involves 110-120 participating children.
“I’m a big believer in the power of organized sports,” said Whitehead.