Besides providing a fun-filled day in the sun, golf tournaments at the local level also serve important purpose: raising funds for worthy causes and increasing awareness of the efforts of charitable organizations.
East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) will host its 4th Annual Golf Ball in May at the Daniel Island Club. The two-day fundraiser includes a golf tourney on May 9, followed by a gala ball on May 13.
“ECCO’s hope is that everyone who participates in the Golf Ball has a memorable and fun experience while demonstrating their support,” said Director of Development and Marketing Alana Morrall. “We also want to increase the organization’s awareness in the community by engaging new friends and donors and to provide our guests with a deeper understanding of ECCO’s mission.
She expects more than 150 golfers to fill both Daniel Island Golf Club courses and attendance to exceed 300 guests at the gala.
ECCO serves more than 4,500 families each year, and the fundraiser will allow the organization to sustain a meaningful impact in the community by equipping those in need with the tools and knowledge to rise out of poverty.
ECCO is a nonprofit organization that relies solely on the community’s generosity to sustain its programs and services for low-income households.
“Participation in the golf tournament and gala offers another opportunity for individuals and businesses to get involved and support local families in need. Our goal is to raise over $200,000 from sponsorships, ticket sales and other revenue-generating activities, like a live and silent auction at the gala,” Morrall said.
According to Morrall, ECCO has a dedicated group of almost 30 volunteers on the Golf Ball Planning Committee.
“This event would not be possible without support from more than 125 local community-minded businesses and individuals. We are thrilled to have Nucor as our Presenting Tournament Sponsor for another year, along with Lexus of Charleston as the Hole-in-One Sponsor and Boeing as one of our gala sponsors,” Morrall said.
She added that the Daniel Island Club is “extremely hospitable and attentive to the needs of our group. We are lucky to work with such a great staff there.”
It’s all for a good cause, but there will be a lot of fun had by those taking part in the golf tournament and gala. The gala will feature a live band, dancing, world-class cuisine, complimentary wine and beer, as well as a live and silent auction. The silent auction items will be featured online about a week before the gala for guests to preview.
Registration for the golf tournament opens at 11 a.m. May 9, followed by a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. and an awards reception at 5:30 p.m. The gala on May 13 begins with check-in, food stations and music at 6:30 p.m. The silent auction ends at 8:30 p.m., with the live auction called by Tom Crawford at 8:45 p.m.
The cost of the golf tournament is $250 per person and $1,250 for a foursome, which includes four tickets to the gala. The price of the foursome increases to $1,500 on April 22. Tickets to the gala are $150 for general admission, $200 for a reserved seat and $1,750 for a table that seats eight. Sponsorship opportunities are available for both the golf tournament and gala.
For more information or to register online, visit www.ECCOCharleston.org.
By John Torsiello
Photo provided.
Leave a Reply