Chamber’s B2B Golf Classic Brings Businesses Together

The Richards Group, for a second time, take home the B2B Cup and first prize winnings!

The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce hosted their second golf tournament, the Spring B2B Golf Classic, on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at the Manchester Country Club in Manchester, Vermont.

A sunny day saw 20 teams, comprised of 80 business golfers total, hit the greens for a shotgun start at 1:00 pm at the course.

The Chamber of Commerce invited the public and business leaders to enjoy an afternoon of golf and networking while enjoying the fresh Vermont air. The event served as a day out of the office and an opportunity to network with local business people in the Northshire. Additionally, the event served as a fundraiser for the Chamber.

“After pulling off the inaugural Classic last year in the midst of a global pandemic and being successful, we were excited to invite our business members back as we see Vermont begin to open up again,” commented Matt Harrington, executive director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce.  “Since last year this tournament has grown two-fold in players, sponsorships and partnerships - it’s great to see the business community come back strong and support the Chamber!”

The B2B Golf Classic (or Business To Business Golf Classic) was an 18 hole golf scramble.  Participants enjoyed their eighteen holes with carts, a welcome bag, a golfers’ gift, and lunch at the clubhouse.

Contests at the tournament included a Hole-in One with a $10,000 prize sponsored by The Richards Group but unfortunately no one could hit an ace this time around.

Up for grabs for the teams at the B2B Classic was the coveted B2B Cup, a die cast with nickel plated trophy on a wooden base provided by Tomasi’s Sports and Awards. Last year’s tournament saw The Richards Group team take home the Cup.  After scores were tallied by the Manchester Country Club golf pro Peter Weatherby, The Richards Group would remain as the number one team and take home the Cup again.  The winning team also received Manchester Country Club certificates to come back and play for free for each player. Second place winners were the Ramuntos Team, again for a second time, with each player receiving a Mount Anthony Country Club gift certificate to play at the Southshire course.  Third place winners were Title Sponsor players of TPW Real Estate which received gift certificates to play at the Equinox golf course in Manchester. 

Before the tournament started, players had a chance to also enter a 50/50 raffle, win a wine and chocolate package from couch + cork, and win a golf bag, duffle bag and cooler provided by Farrell Distributors.  

Participating business teams in the Classic included: 1768 Hubbell Homestead, Bank of Bennington, Equinox Golf Resort, Farrell Distributing, Henry’s Market, Heritage Family Credit Union, Kimball Grist Mill, Manchester Business Association, Manchester Designer Outlets, Old Mill Road Media, Mt. Anthony Country Club, Power Guru, Ramuntos Pizza, Sarah E Wilson Attorney At Law, Southwestern Vermont Health Care, The Inn at Manchester, The Richards Group, VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, Blue Flame Gas Company, W.H. Shaw Insurance Agency, Wes Baker DDS, and William C Deveneau ESQ PLC.

Harrington added, “What we really like about this growing tournament is the diversity of the Northshire and Southshire teams coming together to not only play golf, but to talk about their businesses and form partnerships.  This Classic is a symbol of the full Shires of Southwestern Vermont coming together, working together, and winning together!”

Sponsors for the Classic included Presenting Sponsor TPW Real Estate, the Bennington Banner as the Media Sponsor, Power Guru as Birdie Sponsor, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center as Par Sponsor, The Bank of Bennington as Tee Gift Sponsor, and Hoffman Real Estate as Putting Green Sponsor.  

Tee Sponsors included: Four Chimneys Inn, GSS Fire Extinguishers, T & M Enterprises, Henry’s Market, WT Martin Plumbing & Heating, The Inn at Manchester, Complete Bookkeeping Services, couch + cork, White Rocks Design (who provided all signage for the event), William C. Deveneau EQS PLC, United Counseling Services, Farrell Distributing, Bennington Express Lube, Hoisington Realty, Sarah Wilson Attorney At Law, Old Mill Road Media, W.H. Shaw Insurance Agency, Madison Brewing Company, Kimbell Grist Mill and Merrill Lynch.

Following the day of golf was the first networking mixer for the Chamber this year on the patio of the Country Club.  Over 30 more business and nonprofit members joined the golfers for the post classic ceremony and awarding of the cup, as well as hor d'oeuvres, networking, a cash bar and door prizes.

The Chamber would like to especially thank the Manchester Country Club for being great hosts and partners in the Spring classic. The chamber would also like to thank: couch + cork, Bennington Potters, Ramuntos Pizza, Farrell Distributing, The Avocado Pit, Bayada, Tomasi’s Sports and Awards, Union Underground, The Richards Group, The Equinox Resort, Mt. Anthony Country Club, Maru Leon Design, the Village Chocolate Shoppe, and Casablanca Motel. 

“It was amazing to see the wide variety in sponsorship and help for this tournament,” remarked Harrington. “It should also be noted that Manchester Country Club donated lunch and waived additional fees which we thank them for.  This was a good event for us and we are already looking forward to welcoming current and new players and teams to our Fall B2B Classic on Friday, October 1 at the Mount Anthony Country Club!”

All proceeds went to the chamber of commerce as a fundraiser for future program and business development. 

The Chamber’s B2B Golf Classic Committee is made up of chamber staff members Matt Harrington, Erika Floriani and Mikaela Lewis, as well  Board Directors Matt Willey, Brian Maggiotto, Maru Leon Griffin, Erica Lawrence-Dearstyne, and William Deveneau.