Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Manchester Business Association (MBA), hosted their annual golf tournament, the B2B Golf Classic, on Wednesday, June 21 at the Mount Anthony Country Club in Bennington, Vermont.
A sunny and warm day saw 20 teams, composed of over 80 business and nonprofit leaders, hit the greens for a shotgun start at 12pm at the course.
The two organizations invited the public and business leaders to enjoy an afternoon of golf and networking while taking in the scenic vistas including the Bennington Monument and the Taconic and Green Mountain Ranges. The event served as a day out of the office and an opportunity to network with local business people. Additionally, the event served as a fundraiser for both the Chamber and MBA.
“The Classic over the past few years has established itself as a must for business and nonprofits looking to connect and build relationships,” commented Matt Harrington, Executive Director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce. “If you look at the players, the organizations represented, the sponsors, and even the volunteers - businesses and nonprofits from both the Southshire and Northshire came out and supported the tournament. I think it's a true testament to the activity and growth we are seeing in the economy in southern Vermont.”
The B2B Golf Classic (or Business To Business Golf Classic) was an 18 hole golf scramble. Participants enjoyed their eighteen holes with carts, which included a golfers’ gift bag sponsored by Coggins Auto Group, logoed golf balls, complimentary B2B umbrellas, snacks, a boxed lunch donated by the Mount Anthony Country Club and an after play reception with hors d’ oeuvres and cash bar.
Winners:
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First Place (and winner of the B2B Cup): Up for grabs for the teams at the B2B Classic was the coveted B2B Cup, nickel plated trophy on a wooden base provided by Tomasi’s Sports and Awards. Previous years champions are etched on the trophy and include The Richards Group, GVH Studio, Suburban Propane and TPW Real Estate. After scores were tallied, the winner was The Inn at Manchester team composed of Inn owner Brian Maggiatto, John Varner, Kevin Cheney, and Mark Read. The winning team also received Mount Anthony Country certificates to come back and play for free for each player.
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Second Place: The Richards Group team with each player receiving an Equinox Golf Club and Spa gift certificate to play at their Northshire course.
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Third Place: TPW Real Estate team with each player receiving a Manchester Country Club gift certificate to play
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Longest Drive: Seth Harrington of Coggins Auto Group
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Putting Contest: Doctor Manindra N. Ghosh from Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
“Partnering with the SWVT Chamber, for a second year, bringing to life the B2B Golf Classic was a phenomenal opportunity,” said John Burnham, Executive Director of the Manchester Business Association. “Regional businesses networking together builds a better, stronger Bennington County and strengthens our local communities. We are looking forward to working with the Chamber on more events in the future bringing together all Shires business members.”
Before the tournament started, players had a chance to enter a 50/50 raffle, purchase mulligans and grab a beverage provided by Polar Beverages. Added this year and spearheaded by the MBA was the B2B Online Auction. Up for bid where destination overnight stays in the Northeast including the Boston Harbor Hotel (MA), Kimpton Marlowe Hotel (MA), Kimpton Eventi Hotel (NYC). Kimpton Palomar and Monaco Hotels in (PA) and staycations at the Equinox Golf Resort & Spa and the Barnstead Inn. Reluctant Panther and Raven’s Den Steakhouse and taproom gave bidders a chance to delight in the tastes of Manchester. The Manchester Music Festival, Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home and the Southern Vermont Arts Center offered annual memberships, music and experiences. Finally, the Northshire Bookstore, Vermont Flannel Company, Eddie Bauer Outlet, Michael Kors Outlet, and the Vermont Country Stores offered gift certificates and gifts.
Participating teams in the Classic included: The Inn at Manchester, The Bank of Bennington, Coggins Auto Group, Equinox Golf Resort and Spa, Mount Anthony Country Club, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Manchester Business Association, Southwestern Vermont Health Care, Suburban Energy Services, TPW Real Estate, Leblancs Auto, Union Underground, Bennington Cooling & Heating, Jack Miller Contractors, Hill Farm by Sagra, Henry’s Market, Heritage Family Credit Union, The Richards Group, Ramunto’s, William Deveneau, ESQ PLC.
Harrington added, “What we really like about this growing tournament is the diversity of the Northshire and Southshire teams coming together to not only play golf, but to talk about their businesses and form partnerships. We’d like to especially thank our sponsors and partners including: Presenting Sponsor Union South + Union Underground + Social House + Mystic Restaurant & Café + Charlie's Coffee House, Media Sponsors the Bennington Banner and Manchester Journal, as well as Old Mill Road Media; each player received a thermo cooler bag from sponsor Coggins Auto Group. Our Hole In One Sponsor was Heritage Family Credit Union, while Team Sponsors included Southwestern Vermont Health Care, Bank of Bennington and Silver Therapeutics. Players were refreshed throughout the day with the bar cart sponsored by TPW Real Estate and the water sponsor Polar Beverages. The Longest Drive competition was sponsored by the Hampton Inn and Suites of Manchester. Our Tee Sponsors included: Bennington Express Lube, Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, Four Seasons Sotheby’s Realty, Henry’s Market, GNAT-TV, Wohler Realty Group, HUB Insurance Manchester, Ravens Den Steakhouse + Taproom, Manchester Designer Outlets, Mount Anthony Country Club, Ramunto’s, The Richards Group, VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region and Suburban Propane.
The Southwestern Vermont Chamber and Manchester Business Association would like to especially thank the Mount Anthony Country Club for being terrific hosts and partners in the Classic. The chamber would also like to thank our dynamic volunteers: Nancy Kozial, Kaiya Kirk, Erika Lawrence, Maru Leon, Ahmad Yassir, Gerry Hoyt, Shannon McLenithan, Tammie Reilly, and Anne Corso.”
The B2B Classic plans to return to the Northshire in June of 2024!
The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce promotes, leads and advocates a unified effort, on behalf of its members, to maintain and improve a healthy business climate and rewarding quality of life for the entire Shires of Southwestern Vermont region.
The Manchester Business Association’s mission is to promote the economic vitality of Manchester, and the surrounding area. This is accomplished through the continued development of its website, manchestervermont.com; its Instagram and Facebook accounts; and other advertising, promotions, and events - all with the goal to increase the number of visitors to Manchester and in support of our local communities.
Source: (Bennington, VT) -- The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce
