AGAWAM –  For the sixth year in row, the Agawam Little League hosted their annual golf tournament.

The tournament, which typically takes place in May, instead took place on Aug. 9. Senior league coordinator and golf tournament director, Scott Couture, told Reminder Publishing the tournament usually takes place in the middle of the little league season, however, they were forced to reschedule due the coronavirus.

According to Couture, the idea for the tournament originated about eight or nine years ago when “the original president of the league was thinking of the fundraiser.” He said originally the tournament idea was shot down, but when a new president took over the league he liked the idea and it took off.

Since its inception, Couture said the tournament has been “sold out every year.” And despite hosting the tournament amidst a pandemic, Couture said the interest in the tournament has not waned. “This year I thought we’d be lucky to hit 25 [participants],” he said. However, a week before the event was set to take place, Couture said there were only two spots in the tournament remaining.

However, while the tournament was able to continue on, Couture said it did look slightly different than in years past. In previous years, participants paid $99 to play 18-holes of golf at St. Anne Country Club on 781 Shoemaker Ln. in Agawam. Included in the price of the ticket, Couture explained, was a continental breakfast, the use of a golf cart, goodie bags and a sit down meal. Additionally, participants were able to participate in a variety of raffles.

This year the price of the ticket was discounted to $80. Couture said in addition to cutting the cost of entry, the meals were unable to take place as well as a significant amount of raffles. “Raffle prizes, we kind of cut that. We’re going to do anywhere from five to 10 raffle prizes,” he said. “Because of the fact that you can’t stand around we’re kind of forced to do the raffles a little differently.”

Prizes, however, remained the same. Couture said prizes were given for first, second and third  place, along with the longest drive and closest to the pin.

Another staple of the tournament that remained the same was that 100 percent of the money benefited the league. Couture said over the years money raised through the golf tournament has helped the league purchase new uniforms, batting cages, a warm up area and even a pitcher’s mound with a backstop.

“One way or another, it’s uniform, equipment or field upgrades,” he said.

Couture said the golf tournament has been so successful that representatives and coaches from other towns within the district came to observe.

Agawam Little League serves kids as young as the age of five to as old as 16 from both Agawam and West Springfield. Serving little league players from West Springfield, Couture said, is new following a change last year. Couture said sign ups for the fall season have started and are open to anyone.

“Our motto is every kid plays, we try not to turn kids away if we don’t have to,” he said.

Those interested in signing their child up for fall little league should visit https://www.agawamlittleleague.com. Anyone who may be interested in donating monetarily or otherwise can reach out to Couture at  221-5580.