UMass Pond Club prepares for annual golf outing

May 16, 2011

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

AMHERST — It's almost time to put away the skates and lace up the golf shoes.

The 11th annual University of Massachusetts (UMass) Hockey Pond Club Golf Tournament is less than a month away and organizers of the event are looking for both participants and sponsors to get involved with one of the hockey program's biggest fund-raising efforts.

Slated for June 13 at The Orchards in South Hadley, the tournament promises to be an entertaining way to support the area's premier college hockey program. For a registration fee of $175, golfers will be treated to an appreciatory gift shirt, breakfast, a round of golf, a cocktail and cookout event in the evening, as well as a day full of contests, raffles and prizes.

"I have been a part of a lot of fund-raisers and this one is one of the best, especially with the value that comes with the cost," Dennis "Red" Gendron, assistant hockey coach, said.

Prizes will be awarded to the top six teams — the top three gross and top three net scores — as well as winners of contests, including longest drive and closest to the pin. A "Beat the Coach" contest at the 10th hole will allow participants to take on UMass Head Coach Donald "Toot" Cahoon for a chance at high-end golf and pro sports ticket pack-ages.

Registration forms are available on the UMass men's ice hockey Web site located at www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-hockey/umas-m-hockey-body.html. Those seeking more information may also call Gendron at 658-8661.

The Pond Club is the main supporter of UMass hockey and provides, among other things, extra financial support to a team that plays in arguably the most competitive league in Division I college hockey — Hockey East.

"There are certain things that are needed to operate at the highest level and those are costs that don't fall upon the taxpayer," Gendron explained.

Among the recent contributions the Pond Club has made is a $20,000 renovation of the locker room facility, which has had a positive effect both on the current team and recruiting for the future.

"There's a certain 'wow' factor that helps recruiting when someone walks into that room and sees the photographs, the new carpet with the logo on it and the award winners and All-Americans," Gendron said. "It also creates a sense of tradition that the current players experience over the course of the season."

Contributions from Pond Club fund-raisers, have also gone toward the purchase of new computer and video equipment used in the teaching and training phase of coaching, as well as weight room and skate sharpening equipment.

More than anything else, the Pond Club and the golf tournament support a program that produces not only quality athletes, but also quality members of the community, Gendron said, adding that UMass hockey was the top academic program in Hockey East. The team was also active in the local community through, among others, Big Brothers Big Sisters, local reading programs and area youth hockey.

"Everyone knows about the [Jonathan] Quicks and the James Marcous because they read about them in the newspaper because they sign professional contracts. But they don't know about the guys like Brett Watson, who was a great player, but he also graduated from the Commonwealth Honors College with a degree in finance and now works for J.P. Morgan," Gendron said. "We're about winning hockey games, but there are so many other things going on with this program. If people want to get behind a program that embraces all of that, then this is the program to support."

The tournament offers a fun way to get behind the "Mass Attack" with a full day at one of the Northeast's premier golf venues.

"The Orchards is an absolutely fabulous golf course to have this event at," Gendron said. "The dining staff and the professional golf staff are fabulous and create a tremendous environment. It really is a first class event."

The tournament is always well-attended by UMass hockey alumni, including Quick, Thomas Pock, Cory Quirk and Alex Berry, as well as friends from the team's Division II days.

"It's a great opportunity to connect with our hockey alumni. It's cool to have an event that can attract alumni and renew some old friendships," Gendron said.

Sports celebrities, such as former Boston Bruins Andy Brickley, Bob Beers and Bobby Carpenter have also been near-annual participants, giving golfers the chance to "rub shoulders with people they've come to know from watching the game," Gendron added.

In addition to participants, the tournament is looking for sponsors. Sponsorship options range from $200 hole sponsorships to the title sponsorship, which can be had for $10,000. Gendron said cart sponsorships are also still available at a cost of $2,000.

Complete sponsorship information, as well as golfer registration forms are available at the outing's Web site, located at www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-hockey/golf_outing_info.html.

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