Backstoppers Tournament this Friday

By ERIC X. VICCARO

EVICCARO@STEGENHERALD.COM

Ste. Genevieve Golf Club will be an active place the next couple weeks — complete with several tournaments on the docket.

The Backstoppers, Inc., tournament is the highlight event set for this Friday, with a 11 a.m. shotgun start.

Tournament organizer Eric Coleman said the field is full, complete with 40 four-person teams.

This will be an 18-hole scramble-formatted tournament.

The event will conclude with an awards presentation and catered dinner featuring fried chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans.

Backstoppers, Inc., calls itself “a safety net with no strings attached.” This is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization.

“What we provide basically is similar to insurance,” said tournament organizer Eric Coleman.

Backstoppers, Inc. is a regional cause, covering Missouri State Police Troop C and across the river Illinois State Police Troop I.

The organization provides ongoing needed financial assistance and support to the spouses and families of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The Backstoppers, Inc., umbrella also covers both the Ste. Genevieve Police Department, the county sheriff’s department, Ste. Genevieve County Ambulance District and all volunteer fire department members throughout the county.

Coleman said the organization supports new families every year, and that expenses continue to climb.