On Monday, September 14th more than 200 golfers will tee off at the North Shore Arc’s 40th Annual Mike Frangos Commodore Invitational Charity Golf Tournament. For avid golfers – this is an opportunity to play a round on the pristine grounds of the Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton while supporting a great cause. All proceeds help the North Shore Arc to continue its valuable programs and services for children and adults with disabilities.
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The tournament is played in memory of its founder Mike Frangos, who owned the popular Commodore Restaurant in Beverly. Over the years, the Mike Frangos Commodore Invitational tournament has raised $2 million in funding to help advance the North Shore Arc’s mission to provide residential, day and family support services to children and adults with disabilities and to their families.
There are still openings in the morning and afternoon sessions for those who wish to play. Â The morning run starts at 7:00 AM and costs $300 per person. Â The afternoon run is at 12:15 PM and costs $2,000 per foursome. Â Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided. Â There are raffle prizes, golf prizes and a live/silent auction that promises many unique items.
Column by Jerry McCarthy on the Mike Frangos Tournament and history:
On a beautiful fall day, on the pristine grounds of the Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, more that 200 golfers will take part in the North Shore Arc’s 40th annual Mike Frangos Commodore Invitational Golf Tournament. That’s right -the 40th annual. It is the longest known annual charity golf tournament in the United States and I am proud to be a part of it. This tournament has endured the test of time mainly because of the committee members who have founded or continue to play a critical role in organizing this event.
Over the years, the Commodore Invitational has raised an astounding $2 million in funding to help advance the North Shore Arc’s mission. It is a thoroughly enjoyable day for all those who participate and it has been a resounding fundraising success for the North Shore Arc. The tournament has provided much needed funding for programs and services for families throughout Massachusetts. Proceeds from the golf tournament go directly to support North Shore Arc programs that provide residential, day and family support services to individuals with disabilities and their families.
My dear friend and comrade Mike Frangos, the initial founder of the golf tournament, served as Chair for more than 25 years. For those of you who may not have had the good fortune to know Mike, he was the gregarious and successful owner of the popular Commodore Restaurant on Dodge Street in Beverly. It was through Mike’s love for this sport, and his many connections, that he pulled together a first-rate tournament. In 1994, Mike approached his Norwich University Alumni colleague Mark Thompson to take over the reigns as Chair of the tournament. Mark is the Chief Executive Officer of Boston Private Bank & Trust Company.  Mike approached Mark to persuade him to consider Boston Private Bank & Trust for the lead sponsorship opportunity for the tournament. Since Boston Private shares the same deep sense of community commitment as we do – a social responsibility to make a difference in the communities we serve, Mark agreed to learn more about the tournament and the mission of the North Shore Arc.
In 1994, Mark took over as Chair for the tournament and we have been privileged to have Boston Private Bank & Trust as our lead sponsor ever since. I firmly believe that the tournament’s success is largely attributed to Mark’s leadership and Boston Private Bank & Trust’s commitment to the North Shore Arc as well as the committee and volunteers who work hard all year long to secure sponsors, golfers, plan menus and arrange the teams. .
A few years ago, Mike Frangos passed away, and he left behind the legacy of one of the most successful fundraisers for the North Shore Arc. It is our signature event. We renamed and dedicated the annual tournament in Mike’s honor to reflect his years of leadership and hard work. This year, the Mike Frangos Commodore Invitational Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, September 14th.   There are still openings for those who wish to play on the magnificent Myopia course. It is a full day with two sessions – morning and afternoon, and breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided. There are raffle prizes, golf prizes and a live/silent auction that promises many unique, sought-after items. It is truly a wonderful day for all involved that provides extraordinary benefits to the individuals we serve.
Some levels of sponsorship include a guaranteed foursome in the afternoon run. If you don’t have time to hit the links, dinner-only packages are still available. To register for the tournament or inquire about available sponsorship opportunities, please contact Becky Landry at the North Shore Arc at (978) 762-4878 ext 2401 or email: blandry@nsarc.org.