It has been a few months since Hurricane Irma roared through Camp Wingmann, but the popular retreat and youth camp still has plans to tee off its fundraising efforts.

Father Deke Miller, the director at Camp Wingmann, announced on Monday, Oct. 30, that the fundraising golf tournament scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4 at Sebastian Municipal Golf Course will be rescheduled for a date to be announced in March or April of 2018.

“There were some issues at the course,” Miller said.

Camp Wingmann officials announced that sponsors and registered players will be contacted to see if a refund is desired or if they would like to hold their spot for the tournament in the spring. The tournament is expected to feature some fantastic prizes, including hole-in-one prizes, door prizes, and more.

Funds raised will help pay for expenses in the rebuilding effort at Avon Park’s Camp Wingmann, which lost about eight large oak trees, two large pine trees, half of a building, roof, and walls, according to Miller.

In response to the damage, Miller organized back-to-back workdays on Sept. 16 and 23 and both were a big success. “We had two amazing workdays,” Miller said. “On both those days, Rev. John Motis and Todd Motis brought out heavy equipment and a lot of manpower to help with the heavy tree-cutting and clean up. We also had 30 volunteers from around the Diocese come out to help on the 16th and about 10 or 12 on the second Saturday.”

The assistance helped defray some of the damage costs, which are estimated to be in the thousands. “We also had to do repairs on the well; the pump wiring took a power surge,” Miller said. “There is substantial damage to the Retreat House roof, and two porch roofs on cabins.  We lost carpet due to water intrusion on the east side of B-wing in the Lodge and in the living room of the rectory.”

Now, the Diocese of Central Florida is hoping for a big turnout at next spring’s golf tournament to begin the restoration effort. Participants will have a shot at four impressive hole-in-one prizes: a $10,000 cash prize, airfare for two anywhere in the U.S., a set of Callaway irons (3-PW), and a Sharp LCD flat-screen TV.

Also, door prizes will be available, and additional raffle tickets will be sold throughout the tournament. Golfers also can enjoy lunch at the event.

For more information, call Camp Wingmann at 863-453-4800.