AMHERST --It was "par for the course" that the sun was shining as golfers competed in the 10th annual St. Brigid Parish Golf Tournament on Aug. 15 

Despite early morning thunder storms, the weather was perfect, courtesy of the late Father Joseph Quigley, who had served as long time director of the Newman Catholic Center at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. “We thank Father Quigley for the weather,” said Father John Smegal, pastor of St. Brigid’s, as he began celebration of an 11 a.m. Mass celebrated under a tent at the Amherst Golf Club, the site of the tournament.

This was the second time the tournament fell on a holy day of obligation, the feast of the Assumption, according to tournament organizer, Michelle Morgan, a parishioner of St. Brigid’s. One of the largest fund raisers for the parish, it was only fitting that the day would begin with Mass, she said. “That’s a pretty special beginning to this because obviously that’s what it’s all about, giving thanks to God and giving back to our church.”

The funds raised from the tournament help the parish to “pay bills, to do special projects, to support the education program. It can be used in any number of different ways,” said Morgan.

The social event, which included 67 players this year, also serves to build community, said Morgan, noting that supporters come from outside the parish as well.

The tournament annually nets about $10,000 for St. Brigid Parish.