BRUNSWICK — On Saturday at Brunswick Golf Club, the fifth annual “Golfing FORE! Kidneys” tournament was held.

This annual charity event raises awareness about kidney disease, organ donation and transplantation. All proceeds benefit the Maine Transplant Program’s Patient Assistance Fund, at Maine Medical Center. This fund offers financial support to patients who are awaiting a kidney transplant and those who have received a kidney transplant, assists with out of pocket costs that are proving a hardship, including but not limited to, travel and lodging expenses to and from appointments, out of pocket medical costs, household bills and more.

The day offered a great day of golf and a delicious dinner buffet, as well as a 50/50 raffle, a large silent auction and many raffle items.

This year, 43 golfers played the course, and 30-plus volunteers helped with the event. Also in attendance were dialysis patients, kidney recipients, friends and family members, Maine Medical Center staff and even the Maine Transplant Program’s Transplant Surgeon. There was an information table that offered resources about kidney health and kidney disease, organ donation procedures and laws, “Donate Life” support and transplantation information. Hundreds of sponsorships, from a “Hole In One” sponsor, hole, cart and tournament sponsors, as well as food and cooler sponsors and goody bag and prize sponsors were part of the fun event.

The tournament sponsors included Maine Medical Center, Spectrum Medical Group, Androscoggin Bank, Maine Nephrology Associates and Brunswick Golf Club.

Also, prizes were awarded for the top three net and gross scoring teams, several “closest to the pin” winners and prizes for the best dressed male and female golfers.

Steve Norton, Al Irish, Chris Gaucher, Steve York and Dave Dorion of “Team Norton” won the top net award, while the top grossing team was “Team Whiting,” made up of golfers Jim Whiting, Chris Whiting, Ryan Smith and Matt Paul.

Second net was “Team Brancato” (Joey Brancato, Ryan Pelletier, Andy Burns, Brandon Glazier), while third net went to “Team Haval” (Justin Duval, Leon Duval, Mike Hays Jr., Mike Hays Sr.).

Second gross was “Team Jailbirds” (Casey Walker, Brian Bennett, Kyle Canada, Will Owen), and third gross was “Team Walker” (Cullen Walker, Chad Walker, Daniel Wall, Ray Guild).

Closest to the pin winners were Kate Gallagher (No. 4 and 11), Walker (No. 5), Brian Bennett (No. 15) and Daniel Wall (No. 7), while Brandon Glazier won the men’s long drive, while Jamie Goldsmith took the women’s longest drive. Gallagher and Ray Guild won the best dressed lady and man, respectively.

This year, “Golfing FORE! Kidneys” raised over $6,000 for the Patient Assistance Fund.

For information about the Maine Transplant Program, including kidney donation, transplantation and the Patient Assistance Fund, visit the webpage at: www.mmc.org/maine-transplant-program, or contact the Maine Transplant Program at 662-7180 or 1-800-870-5230.