BGH, Chapman Financial partner on golf tourney

It's mid July, so tee 'em high and let 'em fly at Friday's 7th annual Bonner General Hospital Fun Raiser Scramble golf tournament at Hidden Lakes Country Club. Tee time for the shotgun start is 12:30 p.m., but come to the clubhouse deck by 11 a.m. to register and take advantage of the free "Drive for Show" and "Putt for Dough" clinics and other fun ways to warm up. The weather is predicted to be July gorgeous, there are still a few player slots available, and you deserve a Friday afternoon of golf and fun in the sun.

This year's title Sponsor Chapman Financial Services, doing business as Sandpoint Adjustment Bureau, along with numerous businesses and individuals are giving generously with the goal of retiring the remaining $75,000 debt on our magnificent Healing Garden. We need your help as well.

The Fun Raiser Scramble is one of the hospital's premier fund raising events. So far, our $1,000 Gold Tee sponsors are U.S. Bank, Pend Oreille Radiology, and Owens Minor. In past years, generous hole sponsorships have raised over $10,000 and we hope to exceed that this Friday. The guidelines for sponsoring a hole are gold tee, $1,000, silver tee, $500, and green tee, $100. If the spirit moves you, sponsorships will be prominently displayed with signage and publicity, but time is short, so call today to ensure you are properly recognized..

Entry fee is $70 per person which includes green fee, cart, barbecue following tournament play, two free drinks from the beverage cart, great prizes, gifts and contests. Many of our players are six-year veterans and like Lance Armstrong, are going for their seventh this year. You don't have to be a "real" golfer to enjoy the day. All levels play together and the best shot among the team's four players is determined by the team captain and recorded.

It is all for fun. It is co-ed. Most importantly, it is for the benefit of Healing Garden, which is beautifully located on Sand Creek just north of the hospital parking lot. If you've seen it, you know what a treasured part of our community it has become. If not, give yourself a gift this week and take a walk through. You'll want to be part of the Garden and The Fun Raiser Scramble is the perfect opportunity to show your support.

Should your luck hit a high and you shoot a hole in one off the three par 16th tee, you will drive home in a rowdy red 2005 Chevy Colalt donated by Taylor Parker Motors. That's worth a cool $18,000; not a bad return on your $70 registration fee. There will also be $500 donated to the hospital by George Taylor, our friend in Texas, if anyone hits a hole in one anywhere in the tournament.

Other fun contests like closest to the pin, ladies longest drive, and beat the pro will provide lots of opportunities to win great prizes. A fabulous Date Night Package, including one evening pass to the Festival for two with a complimentary bottle of wine, golf for two, golf lesson for two, dinner for two has been donated by our friends at Hidden Lakes and will be silently auctioned and awarded at the barbecue after golf on the cool clubhouse deck.

For information, to register, or to pledge your sponsorship, call Melinda at 263-0237.

Our tournament has long been scheduled and will be played despite our sorrow at the tragic accident which claimed the life of Jamie Packer, Hidden Lakes Head Golf Professional and good friend to many at Bonner General.

This outstanding young man was a wonderfully helpful and special part of our past golf events. We will provide an opportunity at registration for anyone wishing to contribute to the expenses of his young wife and three small children. Like so many who are saddened this week, we will miss him.