Madison, CT, (9/17/2016) – Madison residents on Bishop Lane celebrated the culmination of an inaugural neighborhood gathering and charity golf tournament with a donation of $1,500 to ALS.

“Absolutely fantastic” responded Mike Burke, Executive Director of The ALS Association Connecticut Chapter. “The Bishop Lane community has stepped up and it means an enormous amount to the people in our communities stricken with ALS.”

While thousands of fundraising golf events are held each year, the format of this event was truly unique and the turnout unprecedented with over 60 neighbors and many more spectators joining in on Saturday over the Labor Day holiday weekend. So many players signed up that the tournament committee quickly changed the plan from a 9-hole to 18-hole course, and adopted a shotgun start format in order to speed up play and get all rounds completed before nightfall. The idea originated early in the summer during an informal evening of whiskey tasting which instigated the formation of the “Bishop Lane Whiskey and Social League” and the desire for a larger community event.

Held throughout various yards on Bishop Lane and played with foam practice golf balls, the event was open to friends and families of all ages and golf skills with the goal to have fun, gather with neighbors, and give back to the community. A $20 per person entry fee was augmented by many additional donations from others in the Madison community who thought it was a great event and a cause worth supporting.

Garden tractors were welcomed in lieu of golf carts; each hole was sponsored by a Bishop Lane family along with signature beverages provided at each tee box. An outdoor banquet with live music from local guitarist Fred Houde followed the tournament with prizes awarded for the closest to the pin, high and low gross score and best dressed.

“We believe this is the first time this format has been offered for any fundraising golf outing, not just in Connecticut but anywhere in the country. We wanted to host a very inclusive event, the reception was truly spectacular,” said the President of the Bishop Lane Whiskey and Social League, who humbly chooses to remain anonymous. “It’s really all about supporting a worthwhile cause and enjoying a great time with friends and family.” Local merchants including Spirits of Madison and the Madison Sunoco Gas Station added to the success with sponsorship support and donations of prizes.

Neighborhood participants are calling it a major success, and the informal social group is already receiving commitments for next year’s event.