31st annual Tornado Open fundraiser sees fresh updates
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TAYLORVILLE — The Tornado Open is the biggest fundraiser for Taylorville athletics and has been for some time. A huge reason for this is the mixture of great atmosphere set by Lakeshore Golf Course and love for community growth here in Taylorville. That being said, snap on your visor and grab your golf clubs because Saturday, August 5 will mark the 31st annual Tornado Open fundraiser. There have been a few changes made to the Taylorville Sports Booster organized event that we think you should know about!
The first notable difference from last year to this years open is the change of hands in organization. Barry Kent takes over as lead coordinator of the event. Given his experience behind some of Taylorville’s finest it’s safe to say the Open is in good hands.
“I have worked with Jenny Moats on the Tornado Open for a number of years.” says Kent. “She retired last years and I am now running the open.”
There are a few updates that were made to the fundraiser itself including the addition of an afternoon flight and exchanging out the “Golf Ball Drop” with “Gold Rush”
“We are going back to two flights this year.” He said. “There will be an A.M. and a P.M. flight called the ‘Purple Flight’ and ‘Gold Flight’. In addition there will not be a Golf Ball Drop this year from the helicopter like the last couple years. Instead, that has been replaced with “Gold Rush” which will be a separate fundraiser.”
The changes will be fresh additions to the Tornado Open while providing the participants the same opportunities for cash prizes, gift cards and even a Blackstone raffel.
There are more ways than one to sponsor Sports Boosters through means of the event. The first and most popular of which is registering to play the 18-Holes in the Open. The $125 donation for a six-person team will include a golf entry for Saturday, Callaway Polo Shirt, as well as both lunch and dinner at Lakeshore Golf Course.
The second way to give is the tri-tiered donation levels. There are three different amounts you can give that will grant you various compensation. The first is the “Purple Sponsor”. This is a $300 donation that will include hole signage at the event and your name/company listed in all Sports Programs for the 2023-’24 season. Next is the “Gold Sponsor”. This is a $750 donation which will include a banner at the event and your name/company listed in all Sports Programs for the 2023-’24 season. The highest level donation is the “Corporate Sponsor”. This is a $1250 donation that will include entry in the Tornado Open for one team (six players) as well as a banner with your name/company name on the golf course and list you as a Corporate Sponsor in all Sports Programs for the 2023-2024 season.
The last day to sign up your team is Wednesday, July 12 and you can always give to Sports Boosters to support Taylorville Athletics. Come check out and be part of the biggest fundraiser to take place this year on Saturday, Aug. 5. The first Shotgun will start at 7:30a.m. (Purple) and the second will begin at 1:00p.m.
For any questions you may have please feel free to contact Barry Kent (Call or Text) at (217) 827-3802.
