Pictured above from left are Norm Hubbard, Golf Tournament Committee chair, Chapter 166 Commander Paul Gaylord, and Doug Titus, hospital service coordinator.
Photos by Steve Ognibene.
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 166 of Batavia is the charitable organization chosen by Chapin International, Inc., host of the upcoming ninth annual Chapin Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday Aug. 13th, at Terry Hills Golf Course, 5122 Clinton Street Road in Batavia.
This particular group was chosen because they have no outside sources for funding, said Norm Hubbard, golf tournament chair. They only get contributions from the local American Legion, and VFW, to name a couple.
"If we let other people know about this organization and the services they provide, maybe this can provide a foundation for them for the future and get more people to contribute to them," Hubbard said. "Last year we raised $8,500 for the Girl Scouts of Western New York. This year our goal is $10,000. My personal goal is $12,000.
The organization of the Disabled American Veterans DAV organization is raising funds for this tournament specifically for the Van Fund to order to transport all the vets to their appointments.
"We have six vans -- two of which have over 100,000 miles that are in need of replacing," Hubbard said.
"Currently 13 drivers carry 183 veterans and 79 others not on their roster to appointments daily, which is quite the juggle," said coordinator Doug Titus. "We are trying to raise more awareness for the need in Genesee County at our local chapter needs assistance to provide help for our veterans."
Commander Paul Gaylord said "We get the donations to the chapter, in turn Doug buys the van, gets registered and the government takes over to make repairs, (pay) costs for fuel, but vehicles need to be purchased and to do this we need help from outside sources.
"Some vans have to be modified to make it handicapped accessible for carrying veterans. The modification costs can be as much as $18,000 or more to do this, which brings the total up to $35,000 to $40,000."
Right now only the wheelchair-bound veterans have a van that does this.
The local chapter has no Web site or funding for one online.
The office location is at: VA Western NY Healthcare System, 222 Richmond Ave., Batavia NY 14020. The contact there is Doug Titus, hospital service coordinator, 585-297-1170.
The tournament starts at 1 p.m. shotgun start at Terry Hills Golf Course. Cost is $70 per person, which includes dinner, lunch starting at 11 a.m., with registration starting at that time also. Everyone will walk away with prizes in this tournament, Hubbard said. When you register online, you get a year subscription to "Golf Digest" magazine for free, too.
For last year's golf tournament benefitting Girl Scouts of Western New York, there were 168 participants.
"This year we anticipate a 90-percent return ration and getting 200-plus participants," Hubbard said.
This year’s special events are:
- Hole-in-One, Win a car! Each set of nine holes have a par three at #7, #12, #25 hole, where you have a chance to win, courtesy of our three hole-in-one sponsors: Castilone Chrysler Dodge and Jeep, Ken Barrett Chevrolet Cadillac and Toyota of Batavia.
- Closest to the Pin
- Longest Drive
- Closest to the Line
(A male and female winner will be named for each designated hole.)
- Putting Contest starting after registering anyone who sinks a put will have a chance to win a chair from Max Pies Furniture store.
- Mulligans and Skins -- $20 per team
Questions regarding the registration contact Norm Hubbard at nhubbard@chapinmfg.com or 585-343-3140, ext. 3018, by cell phone 585-409-7575
To register your team, sponsor or donate go to: www.chapincharitygolf.com
