Picture this – the sun is shining, there’s an ice-cold local lager in your hand, you walk up to the tee box, rip a swig, pull out your driver and blast a drive right down the middle of the fairway. Or in my case, you slice your drive to the right and immediately get upset. But I digress.
What says summer in Western New York more than local craft beer and golf?
There is so much great beer and so many great golf courses right here in our backyard. That’s no secret. And there are so many opportunities to do both this summer – that’s where craft beer golf tournaments come in. It’s a standard round of golf, usually in a scramble format, with craft beer tasting stations at various holes. Players sample beer from local breweries. It’s as lovely as it sounds.
Why should you join a craft beer golf tournament soon, you ask? I’ll tell you.
Breweries set up tasting stations at multiple holes, there are long drive contests, closest-to-the-pin and putting challenges, more beer than you could ask for, food, awards, prizes and more. And best yet – it’s perfect for casual golfers and craft beer aficionados alike.
Here are a few upcoming craft beer golf tournaments you can still get a foursome together for.
What: WNY Brewers Guild Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Where: August 24
When: Chestnut Hill Country Club
Tickets: www.WNYBrewersGuild.com
The WNY Brewers Guild Charity Golf Tournament is an annual event that offers golfers and craft beer enthusiasts an opportunity to play a round of golf, in addition to enjoying food, local beer, hole challenges, raffles and more. You’ll get a chance to meet and play with brewers and raise money for local charities. The cost to participate is $1275 per twosome ($525 per foursome) and includes golf, breakfast, lunch, steak dinner and food and drinks on the course. The 4-person scramble tournament will start at 10 am with a light breakfast and registration at 9 am.
What: 3rd Annual NYS Craft Beer Open Golf Tournament
Where: Midvale Country Club in Penfield
When: August 10
Tickets: https://nys-craft-beer-open.perfectgolfevent.com/
Mortalis Brewing and the New York State Brewers Association have come together to host the third annual New York State Craft Beer Open tournament, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the NYS Brewers Association. The cost to enter is $200 per person ($800 per foursome), which includes access to the driving range, greens fees, golf cart, lunch, tee gift, reception and awards ceremony, craft beer and refreshments on the course and more.
What: Nickel City Brewz 2nd Annual Golf Tournament
Where: Elma Meadows Golf Course
When: September 19
Tickets: https://www.nickelcitybrewz.com/
Nickel City Brewz will host their second annual golf tournament at Elma Meadows Golf Course. The cost to participate is $120 per golfer ($480 per foursome) and features a tee gift, 18-hole scramble, on course contests, prizes, open bar with burgers, hot dogs and salads at Nickel City Brewz following the event (2-4 pm). A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Western NY Chapter.
So grab your clubs, crack a few cold ones and remember – a bad day of golf is better than a good day at work.
Brian Campbell is co-founder and Brand Manager of the Buffalo Beer League, and writes the weekly Buffalo Beer Buzz column. If you have beer news that should be included in the Beer Buzz, Brian can be reached at brian@buffalobeerleague.com, on X (@buffbeerleague), Instagram, Threads and Untappd (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).
