Troop C tourney raises $58K for Grant-A-Wish

Mark Twain once called golf “a good walk spoiled.”

But the Troop C Eighth Annual Grant-A-Wish Golf Tournament was once again a good walk for a very good cause.

Last week’s event, which was held at the Ellendale Country Club, drew 77 four-player teams and raised more than $58,000 for terminally ill children in the Troop C area (Assumption, Lafourche, Terrebonne, and the west banks of St. James and St. John parishes).

“This is the biggest (turnout) we’ve ever had,” said Troop C Sergeant Mark Richards, co-coordinator of the tournament. “We’re grown steadily over the years.”

Team MiFWACO (Ron Domangue, Bret Toups, Lee Haydel and Brad Bonzillan) won the morning tournament and the afternoon victor was Team Trapp (which consisted of Heinke Trapp, Harold Haydel, Barry Haydel and Joe Blanchard).

Both groups finished with a scramble score of 58 (14 under par).

The ultimate winners, however, we’re all the sponsors and attendees who made philanthropic contributions to children afflicted with diseases such as cancer, spinal bifida and cerebral palsy.

“The outpour from the community was great,” Richards said. “We don’t have to twist anyone’s arm to come here. We raised more than $58,000, but I’ll probably get an additional $10,000 in the next month or so as a result of this tournament. “

Each year’s fundraiser kicks off with a pre-tournament banquet. This provides families of the afflicted to meet corporate sponsors and officers in Troop C and share stories about what Grant-A-Wish has done for them.

Grant-A-Wish is a Troop C organization. All proceeds stay within the Troop C coverage areas.

The annual tournament is one of its biggest money-makers. This year’s festivities included a catered breakfast and lunch, as well as numerous concession tents

“It was a great experience,” said B.J. Antill, amateur golfer and assistant to the Ellendale golf pro. “Food and drink places were set up all over the place and a lot of people showed up to socialize and make donations. It was pretty awesome.”

Richards admitted his golf skills weren’t the greatest, but always has a good time at the tournament.

“We’re already starting to plan for next year,” he said.

For more information about Grant-A-Wish, visit www.troopwishes.org or call Richards or Officer Tim Naquin at (985) 857-3680