VermontBiz The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Manchester Business Association (MBA) hosted their annual golf tournament, the B2B Golf Classic, on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at The Golf Club at Equinox in Manchester, Vermont.
Under sunny skies, 17 teams, consisting of over 60 business and nonprofit leaders, enjoyed a shotgun start at 12:30 pm, teeing off for a day filled with golf, networking, and breathtaking views of Manchester and the Mountains.
Photo: The Southwestern Vermont Chamber's Matt Harrington and Manchester Business Association's John Burnham address the over 60 players at the 2024 B2B Classic. Courtesy photo.
This event not only provided a refreshing break from the office but also served as a significant networking opportunity and fundraiser for both the Chamber and MBA. "The Classic has solidified its reputation as an essential event for businesses and nonprofits to connect and foster relationships," remarked Matt Harrington, Executive Director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce. "The diverse turnout from both Southshire and Northshire reflects the vibrant and growing economy in Southwestern Vermont."
The B2B Golf Classic featured an 18-hole scramble, with participants enjoying the course in carts. Each player received a golfer’s gift bag sponsored by Oliver Automotive Group, including golf balls, branded tee holders, snacks, a boxed lunch donated by The Golf Club at Equinox, and an after-play reception with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.
Winners
First Place (and winner of the B2B Cup): The coveted B2B Cup, a nickel-plated trophy on a wooden base provided by Tomasi’s Sports and Awards, was won by Kimpton Taconic team, composed of Joe Capalbo, Matt Clemente, Richard Bertolucci, and Eric Prebite. Each player also received certificates for a free round at The Golf Club at Equinox.
Photo: The winning team, Kimpton Taconic, hold the B2B Cup with Matt Harrington, executive director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber (left) and John Burnham of the Manchester Business Association (right). Courtesy photo.
Second Place: Mack Molding team, consisting of Jeff Somple, Josh Pang, Joan Macrath, and Dwalin DeBoer. Each player received a gift certificate to play at the Mount Anthony Country Club.
Photo: The Mack Molding team hit the links. Courtesy photo.
Third Place: Maple Leaf Masters team won third place with John Burnham, Rob Bahny, Jesse Bensin, and Matt Jones receiving a gift certificate to play at Manchester Country Club.
Last Place: To help them get better at their game, the Union South team received gift certificates to Mt. Antony Country Club’s indoor simulators.
Longest Drive: Thomas Rumbolt of Greylock Federal Credit Union team (male) and Kathleen Wilkson of Bennington Cooling and Heating (female) received a bottle of wine and buttercrunch from Mother Myricks’ Confectionery.
Closest To The Pin: Brad Killian of the Manchester Business Association (male) and Sarah Gaffey of Greylock Federal Credit Union (femal) received gifts from Smuggler’s Notch and the golf simulator Northshire Civic Center.
Putting Green Contest: Sponsored by SERVPRO went to Jason Reddin of the Bank of Bennington.
Photo: The SERVPRO team serves up putting contest, players and more at the B2B Classic. Courtesy photo.
Hole In One: No winners, however the organizations would like to acknowledge Heritage Family Credit Union.
“This event is more than just a golf tournament - it's a fabulous platform for fostering meaningful connections and strengthening our regional business community. We're excited to continue building these relationships and look forward to many more collaborative events in the future." said John Burnham, Executive Director of the Manchester Business Association.
Participants had the chance to enter a 50/50 raffle, purchase mulligans, and enjoy beverages provided by Polar Beverages. This year, the B2B Online Auction continued raising significant funds and featured overnight stays in the Northeast, local experiences, and gift certificates from various regional businesses. Thank you to the donations of Barrows House Restaurant & Bar, Boston Harbor Hotel, COCO GOOSE, Dina's Bakery Cafe, The Dorset Inn Restaurant, Dorset Players, Fletcher's Excavating, Four Chimneys Inn Restaurant, Green Mountain Academy For LifeLong Learning, Hawkins House, Heritage Family Credit Union, JK Adams, Hildene - The Lincoln Family Home, Kimpton Eventi Hotel, Kimpton Marlowe Hotel, Kimpton Monaco Philadelphia, Kimpton Palomar Philadelphia, Kimpton Taconic Hotel, La Peche Lingerie, Mistrals at Toll Gate, Raven's Den Steakhouse, Southern Vermont Arts Center, Stratton Mountain Resort, Taconic Music, The Barn at Center Hill, Think Dynamic Digital, Vermont Country Store, Vermont Kitchen Supply, VIP Tires, MEM PTO, and couch + cork.
Participating Teams
Teams included Bank Of Bennington, Union Underground, Kimpton Taconic Hotel, Oliver Ford, Bennington Cooling and Heating, Southwestern Vermont Health Care, Heritage Family Credit Union, Suburban Energy Services, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Manchester Business Association, Mack Molding, Jack Miller Contractors, Grille At Mt. Anthony Country Club, LeBlancs Auto, SERVPRO, Bensin Contracting LLC, Squirrel, Stratton Mountain, Southwest VT Regional Technical School, and Veracity Financial Group
"We appreciate the diverse participation of teams from both Northshire and Southshire," added Harrington and Burnham. "This tournament is not just about golf; it’s about building business relationships and partnerships."
Sponsors and Partners
The event was made possible thanks to the support of sponsors including Ball Title Sponsor Union South + Union Underground + Charlie's Coffee and Cart Title Sponsor Umami + Mystic Restaurant & Café. Media Sponsors the Bennington Banner and Manchester Journal, and Old Mill Road Media. Each player received a cooler bag full of treats from Oliver Automotive Group. The Hole In One Sponsor was Heritage Family Credit Union, and Team Sponsors included Southwestern Vermont Health Care and the Bank of Bennington. Drink Cart Sponsor was TPW Real Estate, Putting Green Sponsor was SERVPRO, and Water Sponsor was Polar. Closest To The Pin was VNA Hospice of the Southwest Region, while the Longest Drive competition was sponsored by the Hampton Inn and Suites of Manchester. The 19th Hole Sponsors were Hub Insurance.
Tee sponsors included Bennington Express Lube, Church Street Hospitality, Coggins Auto Group, The Four Chimneys Inn, GNAT- TV, GVH Studio, Henry's Market, Hoffman Real Estate, Mt. Anthony Country Club, Raven's Den Steakhouse, Remax, Shires of Vermont Destination Marketing Organization, Shires Young Professionals, Simmons Financial, White Rocks Design, and Williams Financial.
Special thanks to The Golf Club at Equinox for being exceptional hosts and partners, and to our dedicated volunteers.
All proceeds go to fundraising efforts and programming between the two organizations. The B2B Classic is set to return to the Southshire in June 2025!
About Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce promotes, leads, and advocates for its members to maintain and enhance a healthy business climate and quality of life in the Shires of Southwestern Vermont region.
About Manchester Business Association The Manchester Business Association’s mission is to promote the economic vitality of Manchester and the surrounding area through various initiatives, including events, advertising, and online presence, aimed at increasing visitors and supporting local communities.
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