First Annual Linfield Fire Company Golf Outing This Friday

will be holding a fundraiser for the this Friday, according to tournament director Debbie Miller-McTavish.

Miller-McTavish has been assiting Joe Buckley, chairman for the golf outing and captain of the Linfield Fire Company, in getting the word out for the event. Buckley said the event currently has 50 golfers signed up, but is looking for more.

"We’ve probably been planning for close to four months," Buckley said. "In that time, we were trying to solicit some local businesses for some support as sponsors and stuff like that. It’s just been going back and forth with our members to try to get their family and friends to sign up and be able to play. We picked a Friday figuring some people could take a half-day off from work and spend an enjoyable day on the golf course with this beautiful weather we’re having right now – have some fun supporting the local fire company and have dinner, as well."

was a major contributor, according to Buckley, which aided them in setting up a $10,000 cash prize to be included in the "4 Hole-in-One Challenges." The challenges include: Longest Drive (men and ladies) and Closest to the Pin (men and ladies). There's also a $10 Casino Hole that could double your cash, a putting contest, 50/50 and basket raffle. All proceeds go to the fire company.

Other sponsors include, but are not limited to: and Responsible Riders.

Registration and lunch begin at 11 a.m., followed by a noon shotgun start. Dinner, prizes and the raffles will be held from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Dinner-only is also available for non-golfers and family, who in addition can participate in the raffles and putting contest. Registration is $70 with a $20 savings per foursome.

Linfield National was recently acquired by Robert Kleckner. Buckley said Kleckner has been trying to promote a sense of community with his newly-acquired course.

"Robert actually approached us," Buckley said. "He wanted to provide something to promote some of the things going on. With the local fire company being right there, I guess he thought what better place to start than the fire company. So, we’ll bring the people we know into the golf course."

Although the fundraiser should be a success for the fire company, Buckley urged the community to continue donating outside of fundraising events.

"We are 100-perecent volunteer, so we do volunteer a lot of our time – some of us more than others," said Buckley. "We do need the support of the community, as well, not only at these fundraisers, but to also volunteer at the fire company, as far as helping with social events. Not only do firefighters need to respond to emergencies, but in order to support the company and keep it going, they need to do fundraisers and stuff like that."

A list of other fundraisers held by Linfield Fire Company:

• Halloween Hayride of Horrors - Oct. 28-30
• Mother's Day Breakfast - May
• Chinese Auction - June

"We’re always out there trying to support the community as much as possible, so in order to do that, we need to maintain ourselves," said Buckley.