FORT FAIRFIELD — More than $6,000 dollars was raised at the first Maine Basketball Hall of Fame Golf Scramble held Friday, August 5 at the Aroostook Valley Country Club.
Aroostook Republican photo/Jon Gulliver
Maine Basketball Commissioner Peter Webb addresses the more than 100 golfers at the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame Golf Scramble held at the Aroostook Valley Country Club.
The funds will be used to help establish the hall at the new Bangor Auditorium, which is slated for completion in 2013.
29 four-person teams took part in the event, which in addition to raising funds also raises awareness about the project. The two chief organizers behind the Hall of Fame project attended the golf tournament. Skip Chappelle, a former Fort Fairfield High School and University of Maine basketball coach, and Peter Webb, the Maine Basketball Commissioner, thanked the folks for turning out to support the cause.
“We see the hall as a lasting memory to a Maine tradition,” said Webb.
According to Chappelle, this long overdue undertaking will record the 100-year rich history of Maine’s high school, collegiate and town team/semi-pro basketball as well as identify and recognize the outstanding teams, players, coaches, officials, athletic administrators, media members and other organizations and persons who have made a significant contribution to Maine basketball. Also of note, any high school or collegiate coach with 25 years or more of service in the state will automatically go into the hall, regardless of record.
Tournament organizer Larry Gardner said the first, and hopefully annual, tournament was a tremendous success.
“It was an awesome day,” Gardner added. “It also helped having the two University of Maine basketball coaches, Ted Woodward and Richard Barron in attendance.”
In addition to the tournament an auction was held to raise additional funds for the hall. Auction items included Red Sox tickets, Boston Celtics tickets against the world champions Dallas Mavericks compliments of Dallas coach Rick Carlisle. Other Celtics tickets included games against Orlando and Indiana were also auctioned off along with tickets and lodging to UMO basketball hockey, football and baseball games.
Prizes were awarded to the winning team of Ryan Guerrette, Harry Orser, Sam Townsend and Tim Carlson who posted a 15 under score to win by 2 strokes. Townsend also got the closest to the pin on hole 15 and won a trip for two to Las Vegas.
First net winners were Chip Beckwith, Seth Williams, Jerry Flewelling and Ron Hanson. Both winning teams received beautiful crystal trophies supplied by Northeast Trophy in addition to other prizes. Eight teams in all received prizes.
Aroostook Savings and Loan, Griffeth Ford, Hillside IGA, Maine Mutual Group, Northeast Trophy, Par and Grille, Peter Kelly, S.W. Collins, Soloman and Hunter and WAGM-TV were the major sponsors for the event.
