This year’s edition of Merritt Rotary Golf Tournament on Saturday was another hit, with a record-breaking turnout of 80 teams.
Das Kandola, an organizer for the event and Rotarian, said he was impressed with the amount of money raised from ticket sales, a silent auction and a 50/50 draw. However, the final amount hasn’t been released.
“There’s really such great support,” he said. “It was a full house.”
The evening featured a mini golf tournament, dinner, a silent auction and a dance party.
The Rotary Club of Merritt Sunrise has hosted the event for the past 15 years, with last year’s donations reaching over $25,000. Kandola said the money is earmarked for community groups.
Kandola also credited the Merritt and District Hospice Society for helping with the 50/50 draw and the front desk.
“They were a huge help this year.”
A group of the 2012-13 Merritt Secondary School graduates assisted with the catering and cleaning.
“We clearly had a lot of youth in the community involved,” he said.
Approximately 100 items were sold during the silent auction. Additional funds came from new sponsors that joined the event this year.
“As far as popularity, this has probably become the largest event in Merritt, as far as the fundraiser, with the amount of money that gets raised,” he said. “It is probably the most fun event to go to in the spring. It’s really the first major fundraising event of the year at the Merritt Civic Centre. A lot of people look forward to it each year.”
The event sold out about a week before tee off.
