The Old Guard held a golf tournament and luncheon fundraiser for the West Hartford YMCA camp scholarship program.

Submitted

The Old Guard Inc. of West Hartford held its “Swing for the Kids” Golf Tournament and luncheon on Sept. 21 at the Stanley Golf Course and Back Nine Tavern in New Britain. With the success of this event, children of families with financial needs will have the ability to attend West Hartford YMCA camps, because the $6,010 net profit from the tournament went to the Y’s camp scholarship fund.

The Old Guard Inc. is a group of retired and semi-retired men dedicated to education, fellowship, and community service. Weekly meetings feature guest speakers from government, education, and business. Opportunities for fellowship include excursions, bowling, golf, and luncheons.

Russell H. Jones, President of The Old Guard, notes the organization’s many accomplishments, “The Old Guard (ctoldguard.org) has provided volunteers and funding for local charities supporting children and families for over 50 years.  The nearly 200 retired and semi-retired professional men in the current membership ring the bell for the Salvation Army at Christmas, deliver meals-on-wheels year-round, staff the help desk at the UConn Health Center, sort food at CT Foodshare, volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, and support area foodbanks, among their many charitable and social activities.  It is a great pleasure for us to announce the goal-busting results of our annual Swing-for-the-Kids golf tournament.”

Because of the pandemic, the golf tournament had been postponed for two years. With the outstanding work of a committee of Old Guard members, this year’s tournament proved to be very successful. Thirty-five golfers enjoyed the great conditions of Stanley’s Blue Course and were joined by another thirteen for a delicious lunch at the Back Nine Tavern that included a silent auction and a raffle. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, as well as raffle and silent auction donors, this tournament was the most successful ever held by the Old Guard.

Tournament sponsors made it possible to exceed the financial goal set for the tournament. Champion Sponsors – Duncaster Foundation and Seabury. Platinum Sponsor – Cummings & Lockwood LLC. Gold Sponsors – Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation, Nassau Financial Group, and Rob O’Meara Realtor. Silver Sponsors – Hammond Iles Wealth Advisors, Kaoud Rugs, and Mike’s Barber Shop of West Hartford. Bronze Sponsors – Dental Associates, Hartford HealthCare, and the Senior Job Bank of West Hartford. Thank you!

Donors, with their generosity, made the raffle a great success, providing gift cards and certificates, tee shirts and wine baskets. Thanks go to Big Y, Bristle & Blade Barber Shop, Butchers & Bakers Restaurant, Butterfly Restaurant, Chris Cote Golf Shop, Crazy Bruce’s Liquors, Golfers Warehouse, Highland Market, HillStead Museum, J’s Crab Shack, Noah Webster House Museum, Phil’s Kingswood Barber Shop, Pond House Cafe, Seasons Restaurant at Avon Old Farms Hotel, Stop & Shop, ShopRite, Tangiers International Restaurant, Tavern in the Square, The Toy Chest, Hartford Yard Goats, and several anonymous donors. Say thank you by supporting these fine businesses and organizations.

Silent Auction Donors included Dunkin Donuts, Russ Jones, Rockledge Golf Course, Stanley Golf Course, Travelers Championship, and anonymous donors. Thank you!

Laura Prisco, Executive Director of the West Hartford and Plainville YMCAs, said, “The Old Guard of West Hartford has had an exceptional relationship with the West Hartford YMCA dating back to the organization’s inception, holding their meetings at the West Hartford YMCA. Ever since, the Old Guard has been a strong supporter of our YMCA through their personal donations and organization fundraisers like the ‘Swing for the Kids’ Golf Tournament to help provide opportunities for children of local families to participate in Day Camp, Summer Academic Programs and year-round Youth Programs.  We can’t thank them enough! I would also like to thank all their sponsors for being part of this important endeavor.”

With the success of the “Swing for the Kids” Golf Tournament, the Old Guard will be holding another tournament next year. You’ll want to be a part of it and support the West Hartford YMCA’s youth camps and programs!

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