101 for Tee on Metacomet’s Pristine Greens

The 12^th Annual Golf Outing took place at the on Monday.

101 is not just the number of Dalmatians—101 golfers participated in the afternoon event. According to Laura McNamara, executive director of the chamber, the event was the “biggest ever.”

Despite the soaring temperatures, golfers participated in a putting contest and a hole-in-one competition with a $10,000 prize, in addition to their 18 holes of golf. Lunch and a dinner ceremony—which boasted a silent auction and raffle—were also included in the registration fee. Sponsors provided various prizes including autographed PawSox baseballs and tickets to see the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Stadium. Sponsors for the golf tournament included East Commerce Solutions, Inc., the Washington Trust Company, Gilmore’s Flower Shop, Inc., and Aspen Aerogels among others.

The greens for this year’s golf outing were in especially good condition as the Metacomet Country Club prepares to host the New England Amateur next week, a competition in the professional circuit. The chamber chose Monday’s date with the potential for pristine greens in mind.

The golf outing is considered to be one of the largest fundraisers for the chamber. In addition to donations from sponsors, golfers paid $700 to register a group of four for the day’s activities. Most of the golfers were members of the chamber or invited clients, although the event was open to the public.

McNamara named networking as the major reason why companies continue to send golfers year after year.

“A lot of business happens here,” she said. “They’re talking and golfing…it’s really worthwhile.”