The ninth annual Friends of Hall Football Golf Tournament will be held at the Simsbury Farms Golf Course on June 5.

By Katie Cavanaugh

Football can be expensive, and in order to ensure that all Hall players who want to play are able to have that experience, the “Friends of Hall Football Golf Tournament” was established as a way of supporting the team. The ninth annual tournament will be held on Friday at the Simsbury Farms Golf Course.

Courtesy of the Hall Parents Page

The money raised by the tournament will go directly back to the team. It will help fund Friday night team dinners, the end of the year banquet, subsidies for extra coaches, video equipment to record games and help with college recruitment, and team building events.

Additionally, a portion of the money goes toward buying gear for the players. Without funds from the golf tournament, some young men would be unable to play the game they love.

“Not everyone can afford gear, so the money raised by this event makes the playing field even. Everyone gets it,” said Frank Robinson, head coach of the Hall High School football team.

According to Elizabeth Petry, treasurer and co-chair of the golf tournament, the team’s old method of fundraising was sending the players out to sell discount cards. However, it was not favored by the team’s coaching staff or parents. “The golf tournament is better than the kids selling cards,” said Robinson.  “I didn’t like having the kids go door-to-door.”

Courtesy of the Hall Parent Page

Then, nine years ago the idea of hosting a golf tournament was formed. The tournament would be a fun way to raise all of the necessary money in one night. It has developed into a reunion for past players and present supporters of Hall football to come together to give back to the team.

“We thought if we did something in the spring it could be a time for alumni to come together,” said Petry. “You have to be 21 years old to play, so we try to tap into the students after they have graduated.”

It costs $150 to golf for the day. The “Golf Day Package” includes the greens fee, carts, range balls, a lunch box, beverages, cocktail hour, and dinner. Registration begins at 11 a.m. with the golf scramble following at noon. Those who do not wish to golf may still pay $50 and attend the dinner at 6 p.m.

The dinner is an entertaining event in itself with a live auction, silent auction, and golf contest awards being held after the food is served.

Those who are busy the night of the golf tournament but would still like to contribute can purchase one of the six sponsor packages available.

Registration ends on June 3. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Petry (860-231-1473 or [email protected]) or Terry Conlon (860-817-4920).

Overall, the Friends of Hall Golf Tournament is a fun way to support a good cause. “It’s a great way to support a community and for people that have resources to share with people that don’t,” said Petry.

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