Golf to Support Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company on July 25

The Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company, which responded to a total of 3,660 calls in 2010, is asking the Pikesville community to help in a simple way—come play golf.

On July 25 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., the company holds its inaugural golf tournament at the . This fundraiser is a way to help keep the going, and also another chance for golfers to play on the private club's course.

Lt. Justin Schumer, who has volunteered for the company for nine years, said the company is the only volunteer company in the Baltimore County system that offers every discipline and service, including a pumper truck, a and a medic unit.

The money raised by the golf tournament will help fund capital projects in the firehouse, said Schumer, who co-coordinated the event. These include a $200,000 ambulance, its new $800,000 rescue squad and $200,000 medic unit.

The proceeds will also go toward payments the company must make on its new heavy rescue truck, which has more compartment space to fit more technology and heavy objects, Schumer said.

With the new truck, “if someone was trapped in a car, it means we can operate two times as many tools as we could before," he said. "The time for getting someone out is also cut in half because we now have increased the capacity to do more.

“The community doesn’t always understand that the money we spend is money we have to raise. The golf tournament is something new to see if we can gauge the public’s interest.”

Schumer said the goal is to sell out the tournament with 36 teams of four.

On the day of the event, registration begins at 7 a.m., with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Registration fees are $125 per individual, $500 per foursome.

“It’s an opportunity to raise awareness and give people the chance to hang out with the volunteers who serve the community and see where the fundraising money is going,” Schumer said.

Included in the price are a continental breakfast, buffet barbeque lunch and unlimited beer and refreshments throughout the day. Since alcohol will be served, participants must be 21 years or older.

Len Stoler Automotive donated a new car, worth $25,000, for the event. The prize will go to the golfer who makes a hole in one on a specific hole. A variety of other prizes will be awarded as well.

The Suburban Club is located at 7600 Park Heights Ave., Pikesville.

For more information about the tournament, or to find out how to become a tournament sponsor, contact the PVFC at 410-486-9834 or e-mail justin.schumer@gmail.com.