Marshfield Rotary Golf Tournament Returns for Second Year

The Marshfield Rotary Club is hoping golfers will spend a day on the course making a difference in the community.

The club's second annual golf tournament is set for Friday, Aug. 1, at Whispering Oaks Golf Course in Marshfield. Registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

John Quinn, a member of the Marshfield Rotary Club, said the event is designed to be enjoyable for experienced golfers and weekend players. At the same time, every team and sponsor helps support projects that benefit Marshfield throughout the year.

"The sooner people register, the better," Quinn said. "That helps us with planning, especially for meals and everything else that goes into putting on the tournament."

The event will feature a two-person scramble format with several contests sprinkled throughout the course. Players can compete in a long-drive contest and closest-to-the-pin challenges on each of the par-3 holes.

One hole will add a little extra excitement.

The casino hole on No. 10 lets golfers roll dice before teeing off. The number they roll determines which tee box they'll play from, adding a little luck to the competition.

The biggest prize of the day will be on Hole 18, where golfers can take a shot at a $10,000 hole-in-one prize. Quinn said the qualifying shot must be at least 150 yards, and tournament officials will be there to witness any winning ace.

"If somebody gets one, that would be amazing," he said with a laugh.

Mulligans will also be available during the tournament.

While the golf is expected to be fun, Quinn said the real purpose is supporting the community.

The Marshfield Rotary Club helps fund a variety of local projects and organizations each year. One of its most visible contributions has been its longtime involvement with Rotary Park, where members have helped improve and maintain one of Marshfield's most popular gathering places.

The club also provides sponsorships for youth activities and lends support to community projects whenever needs arise.

"We do things with the community," Quinn said. "Rotary Park is one of the things we're very involved in. We do things with sponsorships for kids and just general community benevolence."

The golf tournament is still relatively new, but it has quickly become one of the club's signature fundraisers.

For years, the Rotary Club hosted a Romance Raffle around Valentine's Day. Quinn said it was a popular event for a long time, but attendance began to decline during the COVID-19 pandemic as large gatherings became more difficult.

Rather than letting the fundraiser disappear, members decided to try something different.

Last year's inaugural golf tournament exceeded expectations, and the club is building on that success this year.

"This is going to be the second year," Quinn said. "Already it has grown, and we hope to see this become one of the big tournaments that people look forward to every year, like the Chamber tournament and the Webster Electric tournament."

Businesses can also play an important role through sponsorships.

A $100 sponsorship includes a sign placed on one of the course's holes. For $275, sponsors receive both a hole sign and a team entry into the tournament. The top-level tournament sponsorship is $1,000 and includes a banner, special recognition and a team entry.

Quinn said sponsorships help keep the event successful while allowing local businesses to show their support for the community.

The Rotary Club is also hoping the tournament introduces more people to the organization itself.

"We are always recruiting for new members," Quinn said. "If that could be of interest to somebody, by all means, let me know."

Anyone interested in playing, sponsoring the event or learning more about Rotary can visit the Marshfield Rotary Club Facebook page, where a flyer includes registration information and sponsorship details. Information is also available through Whispering Oaks Golf Course.

For Quinn, the tournament is about more than golf scores or prizes. It's another opportunity for neighbors to come together, enjoy a summer morning and help support projects that make Marshfield a better place to live.

Participants and sponsors can also call 417-300-5279 and leave a message for more information. Registration payments may be dropped off in a secure lockbox at 211 E. Washington St., located in front of the Marshfield Counseling Center.