DOWAGIAC — Dowagiac Rotary Club members are getting ready to clean off their golf clubs and other gear to participate in an annual fundraiser this summer.

Rotarian Larry Crandall presented to the club Thursday afternoon about the 15th annual Chieftain Golf Outing which will take place on Thursday, June 21 at Indian Lake Hills Golf Course, 5531 Brush Lake Road, Eau Claire. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. the day of the event, and the event will be underway at 10 a.m., with a shotgun start. Registration is $100, which will include the cost of food at a reception following the outing.

Money raised from the event will be split 50/50 between the Dowagiac Athletic Boosters and the Dowagiac Union Schools’ Foundation, both of which support Dowagiac Union Schools.

“The Dowagiac Athletic Boosters raise money to cover the cost of things that may be out of the schools’ budget,” Crandall said. “The Dowagiac Schools’ Foundation has kind of a similar goal to provide things for teachers and students that might otherwise be beyond the student budget. However, it is not connected to athletics.”

Crandall said that the Chieftain Golf Outing is a long-standing tradition for many that benefits a worthy cause. To date, the outing has raised more than $400,000 for Dowagiac Union Schools.

“People and vendors always say that this is a lot of fun,” Crandall said. “It’s a fun day, a fun event and the best part is that it generates a lot of enthusiasm and money for the community and the school district.”

Crandall also highlighted that the event is currently seeking sponsors at varying levels:

• Platinum level sponsor — For a sponsorship of $2,000 or above, a business will be recognized at the outing reception and on signage at the registration area and will be included in all district-wide publicity for the event. Platinum level sponsors will also receive entry for one foursome for every $1,000 donated.

• Gold level sponsor — For a sponsorship of $1,000, a business will receive the same benefits as a platinum level sponsor.

• Scholarship hole sponsor — For a sponsorship of $500, a business can be a scholarship hole sponsor. These sponsors will help provide college scholarships to qualifying Dowagiac students. These sponsors will be recognized at the presentation of the scholarship, as well as with signage at one of the holes and the registration area.

• Silver level sponsor — For a sponsorship of $250, a business will be a sponsor in the longest drive, closest to pin or hole-in-one contests.

• Bronze level and alumni sponsors — For a sponsorship of $100, a sponsor can be named one of the 18 holes as a hole sponsor.

• Merchandise sponsor or donation — A business can donate services or merchandise to the outing.

Crandall said that he hopes this year’s golf outing is as successful as it has been in previous years.

“We have had tremendous support from the community and the area,” Crandall said. “We hope to keep that going.”

For more information, call (269) 782-4470.