BUCKINGHAM, Pa. -- The decision by Lookaway Golf Club, in Buckingham, PA, to help a golf-related organization over other worthy charitable endeavors accomplished two things: it eliminated any prolonged debate about choosing a beneficiary, and more, it launched a model for fund raising by private golf clubs.
In the process, Lookaway succeeded in generating the largest sum ever raised by a private club coast-to-coast for a chapter of The First Tee, a nationwide educational program that helps today's youth develop character building skills through the game of golf.
"We are truly grateful for Lookaway's generosity, and equally important, we appreciate how the Lookaway tournament created a model of what can be done by a golf club with the right type of planning and organization," said Jay Sigel, President of the Greater Philadelphia Scholastic Golf Association and The First Tee of Philadelphia. "The tournament readily shows what can be accomplished when a club's membership rallies behind a program, not just for fund raising, but in enabling the club membership to work together as a community in a manner that they hadn't done before."
The tournament, held on October 1, limited the field to 72 players. Entry fees raised a net sum of $50,000 for Philadelphia's chapter of The First Tee, and also covered all operations of the tournament, including the awards reception and dinner. The foursomes were invitation only, hosted by Lookaway members, which provided the opportunity for networking with business associates or simply enjoying the day with friends, and providing any first-time guests with a true taste of the golf club, which is ranked the 15th Best Course in Pennsylvania by Golf Digest Magazine.
Evoking the true spirit and character of the event, the tournament had The First Tee program children participating, greeting the players at each hole, joining them for golf conversation and even playing with them.
Keeping the tournament "private" eliminated the need to generate publicity soliciting players, and more so, established a great deal of comradery among the club's membership as they unified in support of the program. With everything preplanned, the check presentation to The First Tee actually preceded the tournament's 11:30 a.m. shotgun start, providing a good time for media coverage, and allowing the rest of the day to proceed with a true social - albeit competitive - atmosphere. The tournament's reception, awards ceremony and dinner concluded the day.
"Banding together and creating this tournament for The First Tee has been truly gratifying for all of us. It has been a perfect way for our golf club to share as one family, and to give back to the community," said Bill Waldman, Lookaway President. "The First Tee is a phenomenal program helping young people build life skills and values that they will use throughout their lifetimes. The principles of playing the game of golf, such as honor, honesty and integrity, are the same values of our most upstanding and successful citizens, and we are pleased to do our part in helping our young people be the best they can be."
Established in 1997, The First Tee has introduced golf and its life skills education to more than 350,000 kids nationwide. The Philadelphia chapter opened in 2003 as a program of the Greater Philadelphia Scholastic Golf Association, and since its inception has guided more than 5,000 young people in the program's core values of honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment. National studies by the University of Florida and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas have shown that life skills educational testing scores of The First Tee participants have increased by nearly 50%.
A private equity club limited to 225 members, Lookaway opened in 1999 on a site that dates back to the founding of the nation. The property is traced to 1713, when William Penn first deeded the land to Thomas Watson, of Yorkshire, England, creating the first deed of Buckingham Township, PA. The Lookaway Clubhouse was constructed around 1752 by Mr. Watson for his son, John. The land and colonial era buildings were used for various purposes over the ensuing years, including a schoolhouse, estate and dairy farm, before being transformed into the exquisite golf club it is today. The 18th Century Manor House is believed to be the oldest building used as a clubhouse in the United States, and the 7,000-yard championship course, designed by nationally renowned golf course architect Rees Jones, encompasses 207 acres overflowing with rolling hills, wetlands and 100-year-old trees enhanced by carefully placed bunkers and rough areas, making it a delight to see and a challenge to play.
Lookaway's founders and membership have been careful to preserve the heritage and ambience of the centuries' old property, capturing the spirit and traditions of the area's historic roots while presenting an unparalleled golf experience nestled within Pennsylvania's serenely beautiful countryside.
True to its heritage, the golf club's spirit obviously also is exemplary in its altruism.
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