WOODVILLE – Shady Grove Volunteer Fire Department has big plans for a new fire station and is hosting a golf tournament next spring to “help move the needle a bit” toward raising funds, according to one member.
The event, the “Spring Swing for Shady Grove,” is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Wildwood golf course. Shady Grove VFD member Sal Baldovinos said the format will be a four-person scramble, and is open to all skill levels.
“We’re looking to get 120 or more people,” Baldovinos said. “We’re a 100% donation-driven department, with no money from the county or the city, so in one day, the opportunity to raise thousands of dollars can move the needle,” he said.
Shady Grove VFD has been fundraising toward building a new fire station, which will be located next to Church in the Country. The agency has secured the land, and the pad for the building along, will be around $40K, Baldovinos said.
The tournament will begin, shotgun-style at 8 a.m., with two teams on each hole, and a break coming at the ninth hole. Baldovinos said there will be room for 33 total teams, and Country Boy’s smoking has tentatively agreed to be a food truck vendor at the event.
“We’d like to make this a staple event,” Baldovinos said.
The idea came about when Baldovinos and fellow Shady Grove VFD member Cliff Wright were discussing fundraising ideas. He said if there is enough interest to put on the tournament on an annual or bi-annual basis, it could become a legacy event for Shady Grove.
“This is going to be our first one, so we want it to be the best it can be,” he said. “We’re looking for anyone who is an avid golfer, but it is for all skill levels, for fun, fellowship and to offer something fun for the community to do.”
At present, Shady Grove VFD is seeking sponsors for the event, and there are opportunities for businesses and organizations to sponsor at different levels, ranging from a $2,500 presenting sponsor to $250 hole sponsorships, and all tiers have perks that accompany. Sponsors can sign up at the Shady Grove website: shadygrovefire.com/golf-tournament, or Baldovinos said, any member of the fire department will take donations in person.
Teams can also sign up via the website, with $500 being the standard team entry fee. That includes the rental of a golf cart and eligibility for all prizes and the fees for four players.
There is a discount for first responder teams of 50%. That, according to Baldovinos, is Shady Grove VFD’s way of saying thanks to all of those who work in firefighting, or EMTs or in law enforcement.
The tournament is also seeking volunteers, as well as donations for raffle prizes, and for anyone interested, they can email events@shadygrovefire.com.
