John Ladd, Lena Jo Hartley, Melissa Johnson and Tom Fournier of Team Gipper’s won the 1st Annual YMCA Golf Tournament & Auction.

Team Gippers won the 1st Annual YMCA Golf Tournament & Auction contest, an event that helps to support the many youth and family programs offered at the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA.

This year’s event included 29 foursomes, 42 sponsors from the local business community and two dozen volunteers, who organized and orchestrated an effort that raised $21,496. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will go to support the many youth and family programs offered at the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA.

A local businessman and title sponsor of the tournament, Jim Whitmore, reflected on his years as a member of the YMCA as a youngster. “As the owner of four area NAPA retail stores, I am proud to sponsor this event as a way to support the efforts of the YMCA in engaging children in quality programs, addressing childhood obesity and developing character in our youth,” he said.

“For those of us who participated in the YMCA as a kid, we know how instrumental those experiences were in developing into responsible adults,” Whitmore said. “Can you imagine life without the YMCA? This event will help make these positive experiences possible for hundreds of children, fostering character and enabling them to create memories that last a lifetime.”

Other winners in the day’s festivities include Mary Curtis (Longest Drive, female), Tom Fournier (Longest Drive, Male) and (Closest to the Pin).

The YMCA team consisting of Chris Shea, Josh LaPrell, Bob Moulter and Brian DuBois took “bragging rights” for high score, which earned them the booby prize of a safety vest (for their time in the Maine woods) and a gift certificate to Gipper’s to help lift their spirits.

An auction followed the round of golf, where event tickets, restaurant packages, spa treatments, weekend get-aways, gift certificates and sports memorabilia received high bids in an effort to support the cause.

After the very successful 1st Annual YMCA Golf Tournament & Auction, the Golf Committee has confirmed the date for next year’s event: September 22 at Martindale Country Club.

To learn more about the YMCA, please visit www.alymca.org.

Special thanks to the sponsors:

NAPA (Title Sponsor), TD Bank (Cart Sponsor), Cross Insurance (Front 9 Sponsor), Androscoggin Bank, (Back 9 Sponsor), Emerson Buick Chevy (Hole-In-One Contest Sponsor), Lahey Foundation (Lunch Sponsor), and hole sponsors Advanced Microsystems, Anthoine Financial Group, Anthoine Rubber Company, Auburn Savings Bank, Austin Associates, Berry Dunn McNeil & Parker, BJ Investments, Brunswick Steel, Central Maine Medical Center, CES, Inc., Cintas, Coastal T-Shirts, D& N Sales & Service, Dunkin’ Donuts, Fontaine HVAC, FormSource, Harriman Architects & Engineers, Hoop Camp, Jan Jacques–Keller Williams Realty, Martindale Country Club, M & P Auto Parts, McKenzie Cleaning, Mechanics Bank, Morrison & Sylvester, Timothy J. Mynahan Foundation, Northeast Charter & Tour, Patrons–Oxford Insurance, Pat’s Pizza, Photo Finish, Platz Associates, Roy’s All-Steak Hamburgers, ServPro, The SignStore, Skillings Shaw Associates, Subway, Sun Journal and Woodard & Associates.