Madison, Connecticut, USA – May 6, 2021 – The WAI’s Midwest Chapter grudgingly officially cancelled its annual golf tournament, but three other chapter tournaments are still scheduled to be held, all in September.

“We would have loved to hold the golf tourney, but the June timing was too much of a challenge,” said Kevin Sopczak, who has had a key role in organizing the Midwest Chapter’s golf tournament. He noted that the board agreed, for the second year in a row, that the event would not be held because of Covid-19, a very disappointing outcome. “We know that business is the priority, and we didn’t want golf to be a distraction as restrictions are being removed.”

For now, the news to focus on is that the three chapters that have scheduled tournaments are optimistic that the events will be held.

Up first, on Tuesday, Sept. 14, will be the New England Chapter Annual Golf Outing, to be held at the Tumble Brook Country Club in Bloomfield, Connecticut. For more details, contact: Shannon Timme, tel. 203-453-2777, ext. 126, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Next up, on Thursday, Sept. 16, will be the 2021: Ohio Valley Chapter Annual Golf Outing, to be held at the Kennsington Golf Club in Canfield, Ohio. For more details, contact: WAI’s Rex Tran, 203-453-2777, ext. 116, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The final event, on Thursday, Sept. 23, will be the Southeast Chapter Vannais Golf Outing at the Rock Barn Country Club in Conover, North Carolina. For more details, contact: WAI’s Rex Tran, 203-453-2777, ext. 116, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

At this point in a golf preview, all the details would have been finalized long ago, but in the current climate that is not the case. Golf courses are still evolving how they will handle group events, especially those that would traditionally include an indoor dinner, as well as what the cost would be. Those details are being discussed, and will be presented in future issues.

One other element that needs to be addressed is that each of the golf tournaments depend on sponsors to defray the costs for golfers, while the New England and Southeast chapters also use such funds to support their college scholarship programs. Companies that would like to support those efforts while getting recognition, are encouraged to become a sponsor. Multiple levels are available. For more details, contact: WAI’s Rex Tran, 203-453-2777, ext. 116, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

As most of the world continues to adjust to Covid-19, three WAI chapters fully intend to continue their scholarships programs, all of which largely depend on their annual golf tournaments for funding.

It was not easy in 2020: WAI’s New England Chapter was able to reschedule and stage its tourney at a later date, with a smaller field; the Midwest Chapter canceled its golf tourney; and the Southeast Chapter canceled its event. However, that did not stop the cause. The New England Chapter awarded five scholarships, the Midwest Chapter awarded three and the Southeast Chapter awarded four.

Looking forward in 2021, it is not a certainty that all of the three chapters will be able to hold their events. The New England Chapter and the Southeast Chapter have scheduled dates, but the Midwest Chapter has not made a final decision. Despite the challenges, the chapters want to continue their scholarships. The goal is far from abstract as the dozen of 2020 scholarship recipients can attest.

“We’re very proud of how the chapters have continued to support their scholarship programs,” said WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll. “That chapter members are so willing to support the programs says a lot about who they are.”