BERNARDSTON — It has grown from a modest golf tournament with about 20 participants to one of the premier benefit events in western Massachusetts.
The annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Charity Pro-Am golf tournament at Crumpin-Fox Club has become one of the highlight event on the area golf calendar each year. The tournament celebrates its 35th anniversary on Monday afternoon with a noon shotgun start.
The event was the brainchild of the late Bill Sandri, the longtime owner of Crumpin-Fox. By combining his passion for helping others and his love of golf, the Pro-Am has become the single largest fundraiser to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Franklin County, raising well over $40,000 each year.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 145 players are registered for the event.
Tim Van Epps, CEO of The Sandri Companies, has added an extra incentive for the 30 or so professionals who make the journey to Crump — he’s up $1,500 of his own money for the low medalist.
Van Epps is pleased to be able to continue the tradition his father-in-law started in 1982.
“We remain deeply committed to supporting the wonderful work that Big Brothers Big Sisters is doing in our community,” he said. “The impact of the services that Big Brothers Big Sisters provides to children in need cannot be overstated. The Sandri family believes that these successful mentoring relationships contribute to brighter futures, better schools and a stronger community for all.”
Six of the pros participating come from the three courses under the Sandri umbrella — CFC head pro Jim MacDonald and assistants John Jackson and Sean Murphy, Ron Beck from Fox Hopyard in East Haddam, Conn. (a former CFC head pro), and Brian Cummings and Rich Ledgogar from Fox Hollow Golf Club in Odessa, Fla., are all scheduled to play.
“These are the moments that make being a club professional the greatest job in the world,” said Jackson, who also joined the CFC staff this year. “To be a part of a tournament that has raised over 1 million dollars for Big Brother Big Sister is a real honor.”
Erik Barnes, a longtime CFC member who is on the professional staff at Mt. Snow (Vt.) Golf Club, is also entered along with a number of Pioneer Valley pros. They include Bob Mucha of Edgewood Golf Course in Southwick, Dave Dell of Springfield Country Club, Tony Kelley and Rick Leal of Wyckoff Park Country Club in Holyoke, EJ Altobella of Tekoa Country Club in Westfield, Tom DiRico of Quabog Country Club in Monson, Colin O’Neil of Hickory Ridge Country Club in Amherst, and Erik Yarrows of The Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County serves at least 150 children between ages 6 and 18 each year. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County, visit www.bbbs-fc.org or call 413-772-0915.