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The ninth annual Calvin Peete Golf Classic promises to be the best ever when it returns to Magnolia Landing on Saturday, Oct. 25, for an 8 a.m. shotgun start.
It is the biggest fundraiser for the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and attracts a lot of sponsorships and golfers every year.
Right now though, there are not as many golfers or foursomes who have signed up as in the past.
Wendy Murray, executive director at the Chamber, said this is the biggest event for the Chamber all year and has been a huge success every year it's been held.
"We get national recognition as Calvin Peete lived in North Fort Myers. We always had his trophies and memorabilia at the Chamber," Murray said. "We have sponsorship opportunities for as low as $100 and volunteer opportunities."
Local businesses can get involved and put information in the golfers' swag bags and businesses can also get involved by sponsoring holes and contributing raffle prizes. So far, sponsorships have been excellent.
Lee County Insurance is once again the title sponsor. There are also some sponsors willing to buy down some of the foursomes who sign up. Not all, but some. For more information on that, call Murray at the Chamber at 239-997-9111.
But the thing she is really looking for most are golfers. Right now, there are only 10 foursomes signed up and Murray needs 18, since the venue charges for 18 foursomes whether 18 play or not.
There is a lot a player gets for his/her spot in the tournament. This time there will be a Bloody Mary bar, a cigar bar, as well as contests for the closest to the pin and putting. Players can purchase yardsticks and mulligans as well.
There will also be door prizes, raffles, and an Italian buffet after the tournament. The winning foursome will get the hats Calvin Peete wore when he played.
All this is included with a player's $125 fee or $450 for a foursome.
Peete, who lived in North Fort Myers during his hey-day, was a true golf pioneer as the winner of 12 PGA tournament titles, a two-time member of the United States Ryder Cup team, and a Vardon Trophy recipient for the PGA tour's lowest scoring average in 1983. Peete was the leading African-American PGA tournament title holder prior to the emergence of Tiger Woods.
For more information and if you want to contribute, call Murray at 239-997-9111.