One of the things that got repeated very frequently at the Wetlands Institute is that the not-for-profit organization loses money in 9 months in a year. In fact, we were told that the only months that the Wetlands Institute makes money are the summer months.

I’m not sure how much of that I believe, but let’s just say that the institute makes significantly less money during the “non-summer months” compared to the “summer months”.

So one of the most important fund-raising events organized by the Wetlands Institute is, undoubtedly, one that would raise lots of money in a short time. And what better way to raise funds than to invite the rich golfers to an afternoon/evening of golf and good food?

Businesses are invited to sponsor a hole at the Sand Barrens Golf Club in Stone Harbor, and each of the 18 holes can be sponsored by many companies. These companies donate a certain amount of money to the Wetlands Institute and a sign is put up on that particular hole (see photo below).

At the end of the game — we all know that golf is a very long game — players would tally their scores on the board, and the best team wins a prize! :D

Besides good food, there was also a silent auction. Silent auction is a kind of auction where items are placed on a table and a sheet of paper is placed next to each item. Bidders write their names on the sheet of paper, as well as the price that they are willing to pay for that particular item. But of course, the price that you write must be higher than what the previous bidder is willing to pay (otherwise it wouldn’t be called an auction, it would be called a game!).

One other fun thing that was supposed to take place but didn’t was the “putting into the boat” game (click on photo below for notes). The putter (the person hitting the golf ball) will stand on the green patch on the foreground, and s/he will try to hit the golf ball into the boat in the middle of the lake.

I am sure that would have been fun!

All in all, the event was a successful one. Many golfers turned up. Lots of good food was served. I am not sure how much money was raised in the event itself, but I am sure it is successful enough that the institute organizes it year after year :P

More pictures taken during the golf tournament here.