With a golf course in its back yard, it would make sense for the Trinity Conception Placentia Health Foundation to hold its annual golf classic there instead of using The Admiral's Green in Pippy Park in St. John's on July 5.
The course in question is the Pitcher's Pond Golf Course in Whiteway.
The decision to hold it in St. John's was not in hopes of drawing upon the bigger clientele that is always associated with the capital city, but due to the fact that Pitcher's Pond just is not big enough.
"It only has nine holes," said TCP Health Foundation chief development officer Don Coombs. "If it wasn't for the size of Pitcher's Pond, we'd be over there in a heartbeat."
Coombs said the tournament will be comprised of 36 teams, a number Pitcher's Pond is not able to handle with the planned format of the classic.
He said organizers plan on using a shotgun style start for the tournament. This means each team will tee off simultaneously from different holes.
"We wouldn't be able to do it and have four players to a hole," he stated. "We need 18 holes."
How is this sitting with the brass in Whiteway?
Leeland Anderson, spokesman with the Pitcher's Pond Golf Course, said the group "applauds" what the foundation is doing.
"We support them in any way we can and wherever they decide to hold the classic," he said. "Whether that is at Pitcher's Pond or not."
Coombs said Pitcher's Pond has always been very supportive of the foundation, noting that members of the board attend the golf classic each year.
Well-received event
This year's classic will mark the 13th year it has been run. Before it moved to the Admiral's Green a couple of years ago, the event was held at The Wild's on Salmonier River.
Coombs said the classic does "quite well" for the foundation.
The cost is $1,000 per team of four, or $250 for individual registration.
With the limit of 36 teams anticipated to fill up, it is expected to generate upwards of $40,000 for the purchase of new equipment.
"There are a lot of people who support the event," said Coombs.
He did not know the exact number of supporters who had signed up, but he did say response "has been fantastic."
Different clientele
For the TCP Health Foundation, the golf classic draws donations from a different group of people.
There are still some holdovers who also donate to the telethon in October, it is a "different crowd" who pledge their support through the golf classic.
"We find there are people who support us in that way, who don't support us in other things, like the telethon," said Coombs. "It's sort of new money for us."
He said said the tournament draws teams from out of province, as well as people from the area.
"They're good and they're there for the right reasons," said Coombs. "It's a great day and a great bit of fun."
For anyone wishing to register, the deadline is June 21. For more information, contact Don Coombs at 945-5289.
