Coeur54 hitting the fairways to fundraise
The friends of the Coeur54 golfing event raised $30,000 in 2021 to donate to two local charities. Front row, from left: Conor Hammons, Village of Hope co-president Nikki Longwell, Ryan Deschryver, Jason Kelly, Dustin Ainsworth and Scott Kramer. Second row, from left: Danny Beutler, Brennan Stillinger, Brian Longwell, John Nichols and Chris Vincent.
File photo
COEUR d’ALENE — With a goal of raising $30,000 in its third year, the Coeur54 Foundation is holding its golf invitational on June 7. Spokesperson Dustin Ainsworth said the foundation has chosen to donate this year to Newby-ginnings, a local nonprofit that provides basic necessities and household items to veterans, active military and their families.
“The need of local veterans is unfortunately growing,” Ainsworth said Tuesday. “Newby-ginnings supports our veterans and this is our opportunity to help support them.”
Ainsworth and 15 other golf enthusiasts will be playing 54 holes of golf, at three separate courses, in one day. The 16 players know one another through business networking or friendships on the golf course, Ainsworth said.
“We’re taking our passion and love of golf to help serve our community,” Ainsworth said.
The first year the event was held in 2020, eight players managed to raise $15,000. Each of the eight invited a new player last year, doubling the number. The event raised $30,000 in 2021. Sixteen is the perfect number of players, Ainsworth said.
Coeur54 players ask sponsors for a pledge of $1 per hole on the course. Sometimes people bump that up to two or three dollars, Ainsworth said. Visit coeur54.com to make a pledge on your favorite golfer or a donation to the foundation.
Previous tournaments have taken about 10 hours to complete and games take place at: Coeur d’Alene Public Golf Club, Avondale Golf Club and Hayden Lake Country Club. Contact C54foundation@gmail.com for more information.
The Coeur54 Foundation also awards smaller grants to local nonprofit groups. Nonprofits seeking help can apply online.