Guests and patrons of Heart of the Mountains Hospice are encouraged to polish off their golf clubs for the Sixth Annual Grand Swing at Grand Elk golf tournament May 19.

Tickets went on sale mid-April and sponsorships are now being accepted (and appreciated) for the friendly competition. Registration forms must be received no later than May 12.

Hospice Board member Mike Ritter organizes several different flights of players according to ability, “and his whim of the moment,” said Lynda Parker.

She’s optimistic “the snow will melt, the grass will turn green, and the sun will shine on May 19.” Play begins with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. and scramble format.

Prizes are awarded for each flight (prizes include credits at the Pro shop and passes to play golf at local golf courses). The golfer who gets a hole-in-one on Hole 2 wins $10,000. There’s also a drawing for a three-night, four-day trip for two to the Estrella del Mar Resort, a beach resort on the secluded Stone Island near Mazatlan, Mexico. Hospice is also providing $500 in travel expense money “to be used any way the winner chooses.”

“It’s so awesome,” said Beth Tisdale. Last year’s drawing winner went to Mexico for her birthday with friend, Scott Brooks. “There’s 3.5 miles of private beach,” with plentiful bird life and what Tisdale said is an absolutely “fabulous turtle sanctuary.”

Tisdale said her dad bought the lucky 2007 tickets, one for her and one for himself, and that they already bought some for this year. Several locals who have vacation homes in that area of Mexico attest to its beauty, including golf pro Kim Anders, who used to teach at Pole Creek Golf Course in Tabernash, and moved to Mexico from Grand County.

Trip chances may be obtained through any hospice volunteer or board member, outside the local Safeway and City Market stores Saturdays in May, various local churches on Sundays up to the event, as well as the day of the tournament. They are $10 a person.

Tournament golfers pay $100 to play or $500 for a foursome with hole sponsorship and admission includes golf cart, post-tourney party, and a picnic lunch catered by the Untamed Southwest Grill at Grand Elk and served on the golf course. Each golfer will also receive an automatic entry into the Mexico trip drawing, three

commemorative golf balls, as well as an energy-saving light bulb from Mountain Parks Electric, Inc. “Heart of Gold” sponsors are The Paper Clip and Grand Mountain Bank.

The day’s events also include a silent auction, with items to include ski passes, a three-foot stuffed “Smokey the Bear” donated by the U.S. Forest Service, wines, flowers, toys, various gift certificates and meals at local restaurants.

Proceeds from the golf tournament go directly to Hospice’s support services. Heart of the Mountains Hospice, which was founded in 2001, provides nursing supervision 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the care and specialized equipment to enhance the quality of life of terminally ill patients in Grand County. The staff of professional, courteous nurses can coordinate pain medications, massage or physical therapists, bereavement services, make sure the dog is walked, the vacuuming is done ” and will even “provide interim care-givers while the family goes shopping or plays golf for a break,” Parker said.

To learn more about the hospice services, call the office at (970) 887-9074. To tee up for the benefit challenge, to donate, volunteer or sponsor, or to compete; or for more information visit http://www.grandcountyhospice.org (registration forms may be downloaded from there) or call Parker at (970) 887-2520.