North Fort Myers Neighbor Living | Chamber hosts seventh-annual Calvin Peete Classic
Story & Photography by Chuck Ballaro
The North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce hosted its seventh-annual Calvin Peete Classic at Magnolia Landing Country Club in October.
Twenty teams played to benefit the organization in its biggest fundraiser of the year.
And it was the most successful tournament to date, Chamber officials said.
The teams were completely booked for the 8 a.m. shotgun start, with several teams turned away because it was sold out. There was also a record number of sponsors, including three main sponsors and some other creative ways to raise funds.
Wendy Murray, executive director at the Chamber, expected to raise $20,000 to go toward scholarships and events at the chamber.
“Our community is rebounding from COVID and the storm. People are ready to get out and involved in the community and do some fun things,” Murray said.
This year’s Classic had a few interesting opportunities.
On the 18th hole, there was something called the “Rotary Rocket” where the golf ball is flung from a ball launcher in lieu of a tee shot.
John Gardner was in charge of the launcher, with several golfers deciding to pay $10 to have their ball shot 200-plus yards down the fairway.
“People had a chance to register and they said no, but when they got out there and saw it, they changed their minds and they all wanted to do it,” Murray said.
On the par-5 13th hole, players could hit the ball from the women’s tee, nearly 100 yards closer, provided they paid $5 and wore a pink tutu. One of the teams paid $10 so that a team behind them could do it. This also raised $300 for the Chamber while also showing support for those with cancer, with October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked by the color pink.
There were also contests you would expect to see in similar golf events such as the longest drive and closest to the tee.
There was also a post-round Italian buffet, raffles and an auction.
Pepper Peete, the widow of the late Calvin Peete, couldn’t make it this year after attending several times in the past. Charles Bart from the Black History Museum came with some mementos from Peete’s career.
The winning team by one stroke was made up of Curt Randall, Bryan Wolcott, Ryan Patterson and Adam Trelow, who shot -21.
Lee County Insurance was the title sponsor, with Ellsworth Heating & Cooling and Eagle Roofing as Eagle sponsors. Regents Bank sponsored the golf carts along with many more sponsoring holes and booze carts.
“We’ve been doing this for a number of years. It’s great to see the new businesses come to town and they’re the ones who reach out to the community,” said William Barnes, owner of Ellsworth. “There are a lot of new faces here, which is good to see.”
Also, representatives at Culver’s, which will be opening a new location in North Fort Myers across from Merchants Crossing toward the end of the year, gave out frozen custard to the players as they finished their round.
“I came to sign up to be a member of the chamber, getting to know the members and get the word out that we’re excited to come to the neighborhood,” said Miguel Carmona, owner-operator of the local Culver’s. NFMNL
This story appears in the latest issue of the North Fort Myers Neighbor Living magazine, available at locations throughout North Fort Myers.