The 2020 BestSelf golf tournament is going virtual this year. Established nearly 20 years ago, the event has raised approximately $500,000 since its founding.   
 
Instead of hosting the annual event at Brookfield Country Club as in recent years, golfers will “tee it up” at three top courses in the U.S. – Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach in Calif. on June 2 and 3, and at Bethpage Black on Long Island on June 4. 
 
“Many not-for-profit organizations are cancelling or postponing their events this summer, including golf tournaments, but we decided to try something a little different and creative in hopes our many friends, in particular our dedicated, long-time sponsors, will continue to support us and our important mission during these unprecedented times,” said Tracy LeBlanc, Vice President of Marketing and Development.
 
All proceeds will benefit the Child Advocacy Center at BestSelf. An estimated 3,000 children are abused each year in Erie County. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip our region, forcing families to stay home in increasingly stressful situations, officials at the CAC at BestSelf warn children remain at an increased risk to be physically or sexually abused, or neglected.
 
Parents only report 12 percent of child abuse cases. Teachers, social workers, law enforcement, and other professionals report the majority and they have less of an opportunity to see and recognize the signs of abuse with children no longer in school.
 
Golf tournament participants can register as an individual or a team of four golfers, with individual registrants placed into a foursome.
 
The tournament will be held over three days and all three days or rounds will feature a different golf course. Each morning, tournament organizers will use a randomizer to assign strokes from one (representing a hole in one) to six to each golfer for all 18 holes. A leader board with the scores will be posted each day.
 
There will be a winning team each day and each member of the daily winning team will receive a $100 gift certificate to Golf Galaxy. An overall team winner will be determined at the end of the tournament and will receive a foursome of golf at Brookfield Country Club with carts and lunch for four.
 
Because there will not be a traditional steak dinner this year following the event, BestSelf decided to partner with several of their long-time restaurant supporters and provide each golfer with a minimum of a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant.
 
The presenting sponsor for this year’s virtual event is Northwest.
 
The tournament co-chairs are Edward C. Gelia, Jr., CPCU, Executive Vice President, United Insurance Agency, Inc., and Kevin O’Leary, President, Parkview Health Services, LLC.
 
Sponsorship opportunities are available starting at $250 for an individual participant and up to $1,500 for a birdie sponsor, $2,500 for an eagle sponsor.
 
Raffle tickets are also available at $25 for a single ticket or three tickets for $50. Five winners will be chosen to win one of the following prizes:
 
  • A weekend at a lakefront cottage in Angola
  • An Apple iPad
  • Golf for two at Crag Burn Golf Course with John Tebeau, CEO, Buffalo Business First
  • A stay in Myrtle Beach 
  • A wheelbarrow of liquor
 
For more information, please contact Lindsey Dotson at 716.842.0440, ext. 1595 or ldotson@bestselfwny.org.
 
 
About BestSelf Behavioral Health
BestSelf Behavioral Health, Inc. is the largest community-based behavioral health organization serving children and adults with mental health and substance use disorders in WNY. We provide easy access to a full continuum of person-centered, trauma-informed behavioral health treatment, rehabilitation and recovery services. BestSelf focuses on delivering high quality, effective, accessible, and culturally-sensitive services to promote self-sufficiency, wellness and recovery, and an enhanced quality of life for children and adults. Counseling and other services are available 24/7 by calling 716-884-0888 or using the online web chat atbestselfwny.org.
 
About the Child Advocacy Center at BestSelf
The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) at BestSelf is an innovative, comprehensive center offering safety, support, and a healing place for children and families affected by trauma and abuse in Erie County. The CAC incorporates Erie County’s Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), which has representation from professionals in the fields of law enforcement,  prosecution, child protective services, medical, mental health, and victim advocacy, and provides comprehensive  services in a child-friendly setting to children who are traumatized by sexual abuse and physical abuse.