EAU CLAIRE — The 15th annual Chieftain Golf Outing continues to enjoy tremendous support from the community and surrounding areas.

This year’s event, which was held June 21 at Indian Lake Hills Golf Course, raised more than $43,000 for the Dowagiac Schools Foundation and Dowagiac Athletic Boosters.

Since its inception in 2004, the outing has raised more than $450,000, with 100 percent of the proceeds split being between the two organizations.

“Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of individuals, organizations and businesses, another record was achieved,” said Tom Carlson, chairman of the Chieftain Golf Outing. “We are just so grateful for the tremendous community support this event receives each year. Our committee is intentionally small with only seven members. We meet in January each year to begin the planning for the next outing.”

This year’s outing drew 56 teams and a total of 224 golfers to Indian Lake Hills, which has been the host of the event since the beginning.

Carlson said that the it is the dedication of the committee that drives the outing, but it is the volunteers that make it go.

“Every member works hard and is dedicated to making the outing successful, all while benefiting our students, staff, athletes and coaches,” he said. “But we also recognize that there are numerous others that volunteer their time and talents, often behind the scenes, to make the outing a success. We sincerely appreciate their efforts as well as the assistance of the staff at Indian Lake Hills Golf Course. We could not have accomplished any of it without any of you.”

The Chieftain Marching Band, under the direction of newly hired Justin Makarewicz, got thing started with the playing of the National Anthem and the Chieftain fight song.

Carlson, along with committee members Larry Crandall, Terrie Foster, Debbie Heeter, Stacy Leversen, Brent Nate and Krista Smith, would like to thank the following sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors ($2,000 and above) — Dynamic Metals, Janel’s Industries, Inc., Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Southwestern Michigan College, St. Deny’s Foundation and Wolverine Mutual Insurance

Gold Sponsors ($1,000) — 7 Generations Architecture, Chemical Bank, Chi Ishobak, Matthew V. Cripe DDS, Dowagiac Family Dentistry, Fifth Third Bank, File Land Company, Gatz Construction, GLP and Associates, Hale’s Hardware, Huntington Bank, Kraftmaid Cabinetry, Skillman Corporation, Sodexo, Southwest Vision Center and US Business Systems

Scholarship Sponsors ($500) — Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, C. Wimberley, Eberhard Manufacturing, Franklin Family, JNKO Management, LAC Consulting, Scott and Kimberly Lawler, Lyons Industries, Michigan Paving & Materials and Terry Ausra Farms

Silver Sponsors ($250) — BDN, Don Young Insurance Agency, Edward Lowe Foundation, Enjoyment Image, Gibson-Lewis, Honor Credit Union, JAL Consulting, Jim D’s Body Shop, Krook Container, Kruggel Lawton & Company, Michigan Office Solutions, Mitchell Lawn Care & Landscape, Premier Photography, PriMar Petroleum, Ridge NAPA Auto, SEMCO, Special-Lite, St. Deny’s, UniFirst and Wightman Associates

Bronze Sponsors ($100) — Advanced Dermatology, Amersdofer-Wiltse Insurance, Andersen Windows, Creative Vinyl, Shelly Myers-Henry at Cressy & Everett, D&R Sports, Katrina Daiga, DHE Plumbing & Mechanical, Division Tire, Dowagiac Area Federal CU, Dowsett Chiropractic, Dussel’s Farm Market, Eckman Chiropractic Clinic, Edu-Staff, John Seculoff at Edward Jones, Fryman Recycling, Gail Ward in memory of Franklin Ward, Harding’s Friendly Market, Joe and Martha Hassle, Ibid Electric, Imperial Furniture, J&E Lawncare, Key Realty SW Michigan, Kirk Patzer, Mahar Insurance, Maxwell & Associates, Meemic Insurance, Michiana Forklift, MTL Landscaping, Old Tavern Inn, Rohdy’s Heating & Cooling, Max and Ordeana Sala, Larry and Carole Schmidt, Starks Family Funeral Home, Greg Osborn at State Farm Insurance, Stifel, Sustainable Recycling, Tyler Automotive, Vylonis Custom Building, Williams A-1 Tree Service and Wolford Electric

Monetary and Gift Donations — Beeches Golf Club, Bud Distributing, Jordan Crandall, Dr. Tim Dowsett, Gary Hammerstrom, Hannapel Home Center, Hawkshead Links, Honor Credit Union, Juday Creek, Lake Michigan Hills GC, McCormick Creek Golf, Meadow Valley Golf Club, Doug and Karen Mosier, Terry Ausra Farms, Vylonis Custom Building and Wolverine Mutual Insurance