EAST MOUNTAIN - Friday morning was all about reaching potential volunteers for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Colchester.
For the 18th year, the organization hosted its golf tournament at Mountain Golf and Country Club with 18 teams teeing off.
"It was awesome," said Michelle Misener, executive director for Big Brothers Big Sisters. "The weather was made to order and it was picture perfect."
While Misener has been on the course every year for the fundraiser, this was the first time she actually engaged in the event by swinging a golf club.
"It really makes a difference when you're on the course compared to waiting for all the teams to arrive back."
Winning this year's tournament was New Design Plumbing and Heating with a 12-under-par 59. Investment Planning Council finished at 9-under-par 62, and Bible Hill Fire Brigade had 7 under 64.
Each year, the money raised - about $10,000 this year - goes toward supporting the programs offered through Big Brothers Big Sisters.
"We have a lot of this money earmarked for a couple of summer programs - our Kids N Cops and Literacy for Littles programs," Misener added. "And we also have two Littles with scholarships, so money will go toward that as well."
Misener said the annual golf tournament is a good way to get word out that the organization is always looking for Bigs.
"We probably have 40 to 50 Littles waiting for volunteers so we like to talk also about the recruitment aspect," she said.
"With primarily men here, they are our target audience. If they have four hours to spend on the golf course, then they might have four hours to spend with a Little."
The tournament, she added, allows the organization to bring volunteering to the forefront of the players' minds in the hopes that some will become Bigs.
"If not Bigs, then maybe in-school mentors or another aspect with Big Brothers Big Sisters."
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