Troy Rotary to host inaugural golf scramble

TROY — The Troy Rotary Club is inviting the community to join them for its Charity Golf Scramble on Friday, June 23, at the Sylvan Glen Golf Course.

The golf scramble will raise money for the Rotary Club’s various programs in the Troy community.

“This is our inaugural golf scramble. We think that there is a lot of interest in the Troy community in golfing,” said Rotary Club President Mahendra Kenkre. “We thought this would be a good way to engage with people here and host a fundraiser. People like being outside in the spring, so it’s a good time to do it.”

“We thought there was a lot of interest in golf in this community,” added Rotary board member Linda Luty. “We wanted to engage people in the community so they can support us in a fun way while we raise awareness and show people how they can get involved.”

The event begins with breakfast at 7 a.m. and a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The cost will be $125 per player or $500 for a foursome. The cost includes breakfast, 18 holes of golf with cart, a hot dog and chips on the turn, and lunch. Those interested can register online at www.troyrotary.net. Sylvan Glen Golf Course is located at 5725 Rochester Road. For more information, contact ben.clevenger@usi.com or mkenkre@gmail.com.

“After the start, the 18 holes will be available for foursomes,” said Kenkre. “There will be snacks on the course and lunch at the end in the clubhouse. We will have prizes we will give out over lunch. … There also will be a raffle draw during lunch as well.”

Luty said this is the perfect event for those who want to help out and have a fun time doing so.

“If you play golf, this is the event for you,” she said. “You and the others in your foursome will have a wonderful morning. You’ll get some great food. You’ll be able to support community projects, which include helping children through projects like Blessings in a Backpack, provide food for children and veterans, helping the homeless, providing scholarships to students, helping the Boy Scouts and so much more.”

She added that there are numerous programs and initiatives that the fundraiser will help support.

“Troy Rotary also supports international projects,” said Luty. “We are helping in countries like Guatemala, Lebanon, Columbia and India.”

“We support a lot of organizations in Troy. We also try to participate in other causes outside of Troy,” said Kenkre. “We raised money recently for the Troy Bookmobile, for instance, so those who have impediments like physical disabilities can still use the library. We also support the Troy (Stage) Nature Center to help students get to the nature center. We wanted to help the district arrange field trips to go there as part of this. … We have a student from the Troy School District going to France this year on a Rotary Student Exchange Program. We’re also giving scholarships to two graduating seniors from the school district this year.”

This is the first time the Rotary Club has had a public fundraiser on the golf course. Luty said this will, hopefully, draw in the community and give them the chance to contribute while offering them a nice time on the links and some chances to win fun prizes.

“I’ve been a Rotarian since 2014. We have not had any golf outings in that time. This is the first annual golf scramble, since we are hoping it is the first of many,” she said. “In the past we did the Viva La Vino event, where people could purchase bottles of wine over a big dinner. We have had raffles also. We will be having one at the golf scramble for a $2,500 prize.”

The $20 raffle tickets may be purchased at the scramble or prior to the event 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays at Sami’s Engraving, located at 4935 Rochester Road. It is not necessary to be present at the raffle draw to win.

The Rotary Club hopes the public will take advantage of the event and join them for an enjoyable summer day of golf.

“Come and be part of the community,” Kenkre remarked. “Help us help the community. Troy Rotary was chartered in 1957, just two years after the city was officially founded. We have been doing work here almost as long as the city has been here.”