It was a party with the emphasis on ‘par,’ last week when more than 180 people gathered at the Oakland Beach Boys & Girls Club to test their mini-golf skills and raise money for a good cause.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick held a “Par-Tee” to raise money for the educational, recreational, and social programs the organization provides local youths at its three locations – Oakland Beach, Norwood, and the CLUB at Cooper. For the evening, the gymnasium at the Oakland Beach Clubhouse was transformed with two miniature golf-courses, summer-themed decorations, and refreshment stands.

The event drew participants from local businesses and social service agencies, as well as residents who support the clubs. Intended to be a fun event, it did, however, seem to draw out a bit of playful competitiveness. Participants cheered and jeered each other as intently chased brightly colored golf balls through a maze of mini-golf holes with obstacles that included pink flamingos, a little lighthouse, schoolhouse and plastic shrubbery. When the games were over, golfers congregated at the nineteenth hole, with its soft lighting and high tables to brag of their play while enjoying beer and wine along with plenty of food.

Golfers paid $50 to play and party, or packages such as the “tee for two” that included a raffle ticket for the $10,000 drawing plus two admissions was  $150 or the party of “fore” with two raffle tickets and four admissions for $300. Including sponsorships of $37,600 and ticket sales the event netted $52,000.

 Jo-Ann Schofield, Resource Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs said that the funds will “go towards helping local kids get the support they need to thrive.  Think meals, mentors, and safe places to grow,” she said.

Serendipitously, she reported in a follow up text, Marc Maniville of MENTOR RI was the winner of the $10,000 drawing.

He was “the whole reason I was able to leave MENTOR RI with him agreeing to the role of interim CEO until the permanent replacement was announced.”

Last year, the Boys and Girls Clubs had a combined membership of more than 1,100 youths, according to Schofield. During the school year the clubs served more than 5,000 no cost meals, plus approximately 1,900 meals during the summer months as well as more than 4,800 healthy snacks.

Mayor Frank Picozzi was one of the evening’s golfers, participating in a foursome along with Warwick Police Chief Col. Brad Connor, Chief of Staff Aaron Mackisey, and Ward 3 City Councilman Timothy Howe.  The mayor did not disclose his handicap.

While many people chose to support the cause by picking up a golf club, many others opted to purchase tickets for the raffle which included a number of prizes in addition to the winning purse.

“The support from the community has been amazing,” said Lara D’Antuono, Executive Director of the organization