Celebrating 10 Years of the ZFD Memorial Golf Outing

August 2018

Writer // Janelle Morrison          Photography // Courtesy of ZFD

The Zionsville Fire Department (ZFD) welcomes pro and novice golfers to participate in its 10th annual ZFD Memorial Golf Outing that will take place Monday, August 27 at the Golf Club of Indiana. The annual outing benefits the ZVFD Larry K. Rust Memorial Scholarship Fund, Hoosier Burn Camp and the ZVFD Bereavement Fund. For those who have not attended this outing, it is a meaningful way to give back and putt around with some of Zionsville’s finest, the men and women of ZFD.

The golf outing is organized by the members of the ZVFD Support Services, a group of approximately 15 individuals, some who have direct ties to ZFD and some who just wanted to give back to the community. These volunteers raise funds and host events throughout the year for ZFD.

“It started 10 years ago when we lost a volunteer firefighter, Larry Rust, and we started a scholarship fund in his name,” explained Janice VanGorder, ZVFD support services president. “$1,000 goes to a high school senior in his [Larry’s] honor towards college expenses. The Community Foundation of Boone County helps us with the fund and with interviewing the scholarship applicants each year.”

Those who have lived in the community for a while understand the deep sense of brotherhood and sisterhood that the firefighters of ZFD have for one another and their dedication to the Zionsville community. The outing provides all attendees an opportunity to have fun while raising funds for three very important causes.

“In addition to the scholarship, a portion of the funds goes to Hoosier Burn Camp to send children who have been burned to camp,” VanGorder explained. “Another portion goes towards the ZFD Bereavement Fund. We have a really good time at the outing. It has grown and changed since we first held it at the Zionsville Golf Course. We used to host a dinner that went along with it that was open to the public. Since the event has grown significantly over the years, we’ve had to move it to the Golf Club of Indiana, and we can no longer offer the meal to non-participants. We still bring a ladder truck and do a 50-50 raffle/ball drop. The balls are numbered, and whichever ball either goes into the hole or comes closest to it wins half of the prize money. We will have a silent auction that will be available online for those who cannot attend the outing.”

This year’s title sponsor is St. Vincent Health in addition to numerous other sponsors and business partners and those who wish to make personal donations. The deadline to register your foursome or as an individual is August 17.

VanGorder mentioned that the usual golf terms are switched to fire-related terms, such as instead of a shotgun start, there will be a “Siren Start” at 10 a.m. following registration the day of the outing.

“We change the names. For instance, ‘False Alarms’ – $5 each – meaning each golfer may purchase up to two ‘False Alarms’ (a.k.a. Mulligans or second chance tee shots) to be used at his/her discretion during the course of play,” VanGorder said. “Upon use, the player may choose to take his/her original or ‘False Alarm’ tee shot, whichever is better. Operating on the honor system, the ‘False Alarms’ will be pieces of candy that must be eaten when used.

“We have ‘Rescue Sticks’ – $10 each – and each foursome may purchase one ‘Rescue Stick’ for those times when a few extra inches or feet may help. ‘Rescue Sticks’ are yardsticks that can be used throughout the game in any combination, up to a total of 36 inches. Use all three feet to sink that much-needed putt or use a few inches at a time to ‘rescue’ the ball from sand or a tree, putting it back safely in the fairway. Operating on the honor system, each foursome is responsible for marking the number of inches used on its ‘Rescue Stick’ until the yardstick is filled or play is complete.

“We also have ‘Emergency Tees’ – $5 each – and each golfer may purchase one ‘Emergency Tee’ to be used at his/her discretion during the course of play. Upon use, a male player may tee off from the women’s tee box of his choice, or a female player may take one stroke off her game for the hole of her choice. Lastly, we have the ‘Hacker Pack’ – $15 – and players can get a first aid kit for their golf game. Each golfer may purchase one ‘Hacker Pack,’ which includes two ‘False Alarms’ (Mulligan), one ‘Emergency Tee,’ one chance in the ‘Putt Contest’ and one ball for the ‘Golf Ball Drop’ ($18 value).

“It really means the world to us to have the support of the community,” VanGorder concluded. “That’s what Zionsville is all about. You can play as serious as you want at the outing, but it’s not mandatory. We’re all about having fun, and a lot of the teams come in and shoot for last place anyway.”

*Don’t forget to register for silent auction bidding through Qtego at qtego.net/qlink/zfdgolf.