Blackwell Fraternal Order of Police to host June golf tournament

by Charles Gerian

The Blackwell Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 183 is hosting its first golf tournament June 4 at the Blackwell Municipal Golf Course, with proceeds from the tournament going back into the community. Registration will begin at 8 a.m.

The tournament will kick off with a shotgun start and will have the format of a fourman scramble. It costs $50 per player or $200 for a team of four.

There will be closestto-the-pin and longest-drive contests as well as a putting tournament. With enough participation, a horse race will also take place.Lunch will be provided. Local businesses looking to be seen might be interested in the FOP’s sponsorship opportunities, with sponsorships costing $100 for a tee box sign.

The FOP also offers clubhouse sponsorships for $500, which includes a banner at registration and a tee box. Corporate sponsorships are $1,000 and include a banner, tee box sign and registration for a four-man team. Cory Ingram, vice president of the Blackwell FOP, said the idea for the tournament came about from members of the FOP participating in golf tournaments and other local fundraisers. So, it seemed natural that the FOP should host one of its own.

“The Blackwell Fraternal Order of Police hosts the Father-Daughter Dance, soccer and basketball, and we help out our community in any way that we can,” Ingram said. The FOP recently painted the four-square court at the Blackwell Youth Center and has sponsored several baseball and softball teams.

The organization has also donated several bikes to the First United Methodist Church’s annual Christmas bike giveaway, provided air conditioning units for families in need during the summer and donated food to the Blackwell Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. During the summer, the FOP hosts free swim nights at the Blackwell Memorial Pool.

“We’ve purchased hotel rooms for stranded motorists, and we also donate food to the various giveaways during Christmas and Thanksgiving,” Ingram said.

“Around Christmas, we also pull random people over to give them $50. “We will always donate to almost every organization that is having a fundraiser. We understand how difficult it can be for organizations to get the funds they need, so we like to help out their mission in any way that we can.”