The 22nd Annual Mt. Laurel Public Education Fund, Inc. Golf Classic will be held on Monday, Sept. 26 at the Laurel Creek Country Club located at 701 Centerton Road. Hosted by the Mount Laurel Public Education Fund, an independent non-profit corporation formed in 1994, the goal of the event is to help raise money for Mt. Laurel schools.
Since its inception, the Mount Laurel Public Education Fund has donated more than $790,000 to Mount Laurel’s eight elementary schools — a contribution that was largely responsible for the district’s ability to provide technology in each classroom. This year, proceeds raised by the fund at this event will be dedicated to the continuation of after-school clubs and related activities previously jeopardized in the district’s budget several years ago due to state-aid reduction. The fund also supports annual scholarships for students in need of tutoring whose families may find it a financial burden and offers mini-grants for teachers to support innovative programs.
“This event has taken place since 1994 when the Public Education Fund was formed, and over that period of time, they have donated over $790,000 to the schools,” Marie Reynolds, director of communication services, said. “It’s been extremely helpful, and for many years, the funds were dedicated to bringing the Mt. Laurel schools’ technology up to standards. It has enriched our students in many areas including STEM, garden, theater, art, math and cooking clubs, to name a few.”
This event is invitation-only and will include approximately 100 golfers. Teams of two or four, depending on the sponsorship, will compete for prizes in a scramble style golf tournament, and afterward will be invited to join in a cocktail reception and dinner.
Platinum sponsorship, entitling donors to foursome play, a special gift and a prominent listing in all programs and ads, costs $3,000, whereas the gold-level sponsorship, including foursome play, a special gift and listing in all programs and ads, is priced at $1,500. Silver-level sponsorships is priced at $1,200, including foursome play and a listing in all programs and ads, and bronze sponsorship includes twosome play and a listing in all programs and ads for $650.
Other sponsorship levels include the Hole and Tee Sponsorship, for $150, and the Debbie Tiagwad Community Service Sponsorship that is priced at $50, $100 or $200. Hosted by various officers and the autonomous body of trustees of the Mount Laurel Public Education Fund, this year’s event is being dedicated to the memory of former fund trustee Debbie Joy Tiagwood, who passed away on Jan. 13. In her honor, the first annual Debbie Tiagwood Community Service Award will be granted at this year’s tournament.
“Debbie was such a huge factor in the golf tournament every year. She worked tirelessly every year and is going to be so missed,” Reynolds said. “She would go for weeks on end visiting all of her contacts for raffle donations, sponsorships and foursomes. Debbie was just an absolute ball of fire in her charity work. Because she was so beloved,” Reynolds laughed, “no one turned her down. She was a major player in this annual event.”
On the day of the event, check-in, lunch and the driving range will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the shotgun start at noon. The cocktail reception will begin promptly at 5 p.m. with dinner and awards presented after.
Upon the conclusion of the classic, prizes will be awarded for holes in one, closest to the pin, the longest drive, low foursome, beat the pro and for door prizes galore. Prizes will also be distributed for the beat the celebrity putting contest, driving range with swing analysis by GolfTEC and for the sports memorabilia auction.
Those interested in sponsoring the event or golfing should contact [email protected] or call (856) 778–6906. Registration and sponsorships should be returned by Sept. 16 to be included in the program.
