Golf teams from churches throughout Palm Beach County will compete in the inaugural Pastor’s Masters Golf Tournament to benefit Royal Palm Covenant Church on Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Binks Forest Golf Club. The scramble format event will tee off at 1 p.m., followed by an awards dinner, auction and raffle.
“The recent news that the church is in such financial straits that it might close its doors was so disturbing that we pulled together our staff and met with Pastor Michael Rose offering a way to help,” said Bob Still, marketing and membership director of Binks Forest Golf Club.
After meeting with Rose and discussing several fundraising options, the Pastor’s Masters Golf Tournament emerged. The tournament allows teams of four players to compete in a friendly competition and much more.
“While this event is not restricted to churches, the idea that if each church in the community were to send a team, we’d have a glorious success,” Rose said.
Realizing that the golf tournament alone cannot totally meet the financial crisis, Binks has added a $1 million hole-in-one competition to the event. Two golfers will be selected for a chance to make a 165-yard hole-in-one at the conclusion of the tournament. If the player makes the shot, he or she will receive $500,000 and the church will get $500,000. This would pay off the church’s debt entirely.
“Crazier things have happened,” Binks Forest General Manager Greg Schroeder said. “I hope the positive vibes are there and someone gets that hole in one. Can you just imagine?”
The thought of any relief to the mounting debt brings a smile to Rose’s face and those congregation members who are volunteering their time to seek business sponsors.
“Our church is small, but we do many big things with God’s guidance,” said Rose, who has served as a non-salaried pastor for eight years. “We don’t have many golfers in our congregation, but a tournament like this is a blessing because of what it can do, not just for our church but for the entire community.”
Player entry fees cost $75. Non-golfers may attend the dinner and auction for a $50 donation. Proceeds will benefit Royal Palm Covenant Church, located at 660 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.
If you would like to help or need additional information, contact the office at Royal Palm Covenant Church at (561) 294-9258 or visit the golf shop at Binks Forest Golf Club (400 Binks Forest Dr., Wellington) for an entry form.
