Registration is open for the Eighth Annual Runaway Open charity golf tournament for Phish fans, to be held in Denver 9/2/23 (the morning between the first 2 and second 2 shows of the upcoming Labor Day’s run at Dick’s.) Register here, today!
Details — The basics stay the same: up to 120 players, at Willis Case, with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m., preceded by a coffee, a group photo, and a warm send-off. We’ll continue the same on-course contests and at-the-clubhouse raffles – but it’s really all about swingin’ sticks with fans for charity, so don’t sweat it if you’re rusty, new to the game, or prioritizing fun over competition. So are we, no cap!
Prizes — Each player will receive a gift bag of limited-edition event items, as well as items contributed by sponsors. Pro Shop credits will be awarded for one longest drive, one closest to hole, the top three individual players, and each member of the top two foursomes. Each entry includes one ticket for a raffle (details TBA; must be present to win); additional raffle tickets may be available at the event, pending some paperwork on our end.
Format — All Runaway Opens are a Modified Shamble: Everyone tees and then plays individually from the best first ball (not the best on each stroke) to the hole, and each foursome records the best two (2) scores per hole for the team total. That balances competitive play with a fun-focused day. But don’t fret about format, skill, or handicap, unless you want to – this is all about fun, charity, Sand, Wedge, Dirt, Lawnboy…
Register by completing the form here and making the appropriate donation to the Mockingbird Foundation. The registration ask is $150 per player until July 4th, $170 until August 17, and $180 for the final two weeks (with additional options for sponsorships, sponsored foursomes, and more). That donation covers all cart, greens, and tournament fees, including the shotgun structure (pricey to arrange on a Labor Day Saturday!); coffee, lunch, and a drink ticket; a gift bag of goodies available only to fully registered players; and a nominal charitable margin to support music education grants. (The event is priced tightly, to attract as many players as possible. Generosity above the requested donation, now or later, is immensely appreciated.)
Early registration is strongly encouraged. Previous events have nearly doubled in size each year and still sold out, with a waiting list we couldn’t satisfy.
Sponsorships are welcomed in a variety of forms. All sponsors will be acknowledged in coming social media campaigns, before and after the event; thanked (by text and any provided logo) in event promotions at Mbird.org and Phish.net; and welcomed to establish a presence at the event, if they are able and inclined. Options include these, expanded from previous years, and we’re open to suggestions for others:
- $10,000 for a sole underwriter of the event, to be billed everywhere as “Presented by …”;
- $2,000 donation for a sponsored foursome, which will cover four players plus custom signage at a hole;
- $1,200 for custom sponsorship signage at a hole, with no players;
- $600 for naming of a foursome selected by us, with no sign or players; and/or
- donation of items for the gift bags or raffle.
Virtual Component
Those unable to be on site can still join in the fun and help fundraise for music education by taking part in the Virtual Component, using the same 18Birdies app we first used for the Fifth Annual in 2020. This will be an 18-hole, stroke-play event, on any course you want to play, any day from August 30 to September 6.
Those who participate and make a donation of at least $60 to the Mockingbird Foundation before that window closes, will be sent the same four (4!) limited-edition event merch being handed out on site: a brushed-cotton hat, a 32″ cooling towel, a metallic water bottle, and a 12-can cooler, all with the Runaway Open logo.
To play, join the tournament at 18birdies.com/s/AEBxzaCtns4, or by using tournament code 41212 on the app, or the QR Code below. Those participating on-site may also be interested in joining the virtual tournament. The app has lots of embedded services, offers a free trial period to test it’s distance and training features, and includes a gallery and chat space for those participating.
