Fairway fundraiser: Tournament fills scholarship coffers, benefits veterans

More than two dozen sponsored veterans were among 90 golfers teeing off and sinking putts to support the Rotary Scholarship Fund.

Under occasionally threatening skies, Acton Country Club hosted the Rotary Club’s 37th annual Thomas R. Huckins Memorial Golf Tournament on August 25. 

“It was a great day in spite of the passing afternoon thunderstorm,” organizer Karl Kussin told The Acton Bridge in an email. He noted “lots of positive energy supporting our disabled veteran players and raising funds for Acton and Carlisle student scholarships.” 

The tournament provides an opportunity for wounded combat veterans to participate at no cost through sponsorships from others. This year, 27 veterans were sponsored. 

“Sponsors that play in these tournaments play with veterans,” Rotary golf committee member Jerry Shanahan said. “They get to know them personally, and it’s a unique way for the community to say, ‘Hey, thanks guys, for the sacrifices you’ve made.’”

Rotarian John Arena, president of Dee Funeral Home, said the camaraderie makes it a special pleasure to participate. 

“I love what it stands for, [especially] sponsoring veterans, so that they have an opportunity to enjoy the day without any cost to them, given their service,” Arena said.

‘All over it’ 

Shanahan is also a member of Salute Military Golf Association New England, a non-profit that aims to incorporate golf into the physical and mental recovery of post-9/11 wounded veterans. 

He said he had run golf tournaments before, so when asked to help develop the Rotary tournament, he “jumped all over it” and eventually introduced the idea of veteran sponsorships. 

“So the people who don’t play golf, that are either members of the Rotary Club or town residents, could sponsor a veteran to play at a fantastic golf course,” he said. “What it’s done is infused a sense of excitement and giving back to veterans from the local community.” 

In Huckins’ honor

Kussin began the tournament 37 years ago as a young Rotarian and now organizes it with help from co-chairs Joe Saia and Phyllis Maurer, he told The Bridge. 

Kussin said the tournament is named for Tom Huckins, a longtime Acton resident and avid golfer. 

“Tom was a 50-plus-year member of the Rotary Club and helped establish the Acton club’s endowment to support its philanthropic initiatives,” he said. “Tom passed away in 2003, and the club named the golf event to honor his many years of service to the community and club.”

Dan Frost, who has participated in the tournament for “quite a few years,” said this year was special because his son, Harrison, joined him on the course for the first time. 

“The Acton Rotary does a great job. It’s such a community-based program, and they like giving back,” he said. “And I love to play at that golf course.” 

The event netted $16,500, Kussin said. While most of the money goes to scholarships, some also fund children’s programs through Acton Parks and Rec and medical charities through Emerson Hospital, Shanahan said.