Over 350 golfers teed off at the Nottawasaga Foundation’s 15th-annual open golf tournament at the Nottawasaga Inn last Friday and, combined with 268 sponsors, set a new fundraising record for the event.

This year's tournament brought in an astounding $310,000 which will benefit a host of charitable and non-profit organizations throughout the coming year. Part of the money will also be used to fund the foundation's ongoing commitment to Stevenson Memorial Hospital — in particular, additional stations for the Dialysis Unit.

To date, the foundation has raised over $2 million.

The full tournament round followed a women’s nine-hole event that kicked off the day .

Wearing his golf shoes and shorts for a day on the course himself, Nottawasaga Foundation president Lou Biffis said they were hoping to top last year’s one-day total.

“We’re expecting to raise a little over $300,000,” Biffis said as the event got underway. “I’d like to see $305,000 raised today. We have 350 golfers in the open tournament playing on 45 holes.”

When the final total was tallied, the event topped even Biffis' hopes.

The tournament offers golfers not only the chance to take part in a good cause and help raise funds that go back into the community, there was a chance to win several prizes on the course.

Tournament organizer Don Hickson said there were several chances to win big if someone was lucky enough to hit a hole-in-one.

“We have 10 holes that are set up for a hole-in-one prize.” Hickson explained. “There (were) six cars available to be won, and four $30,000 holes where the golfer wins half the cash, and the other half goes to the charity.”

Other prizes awarded include closest to the pin, longest drive, and the straightest drive.

The majority of the funds raised were in the form of corporate and private sponsorships.

“We have 268 hole sponsors on the course that bring in $248,000.” Hickson said. “These are straight funds donated to the tournament.”

The rest of the money raised during the tournament came from entry fees, a silent and live auction, and other various events taking place throughout the day.

The event was capped off with dinner and the awards ceremony in the Nottawasaga’s Sports and LeisureDome. Over 800 people attended the evening event.