LAKEVILLE — Golf got upgraded: say goodbye to so-called “drivers” and “irons” and say hello to the air cannon.

On the second hole of the Knights of Columbus’ annual golf tournament, golfers had a choice: drive the old-fashioned way, or donate $20 to drive with a metal cannon that blasts the ball to the green with a burst of pressurized air. Most went with the cannon.

“That turned out to be a big moneymaker,” said tournament organizer and former Grand Knight Tony Rose about the cannon.

The Aug. 13 golf tournament was played at the Back Nine Club in Lakeville, an 18-hole par-3 course.

Years ago, Allendale Country Club in Dartmouth hosted the annual tournament, but the Knights moved to Back Nine’s easier and quicker course to “be more user friendly, more fun,” said tournament organizer Bill Boles. 

“Most of our golf is incidental, casual golf,” Boles said. 

Hence the air cannon.

Proceeds from the entry fee, the air cannon, the putting contest, the hole-in-one contest and the raffle went toward charitable organizations chosen by the Knights. The winner of each mini-contest received half of the take for that contest. 

“It’s our biggest moneymaker of the year,” Rose said. “And we spread the word about the things the Knights do.”

The Knights expect this year to be their best fundraising effort yet, estimating the amount at $6,000 or $7,000.

The tournament raised funds for Child and Family Services, Cindys Fund, My Brother’s Keeper, The Solanus Casey Food Pantry, the Sister Rose House and a house supporting war veterans. 

“We try to keep everything local,” Rose said. 

The Knights of Columbus are a global Catholic organization for men that promotes faith and charity, and insures its members. The Dartmouth council of the Knights supports St. Julie Billiart & St. Mary’s churches. The council hosts several fundraisers a year, which raise money for local charities with a focus on faith-based charities. 

“It’s so rewarding when we hand deliver the checks,” Rose said. “People are so thankful.”

Golfers in the tournament Sunday played “best ball,” a casual method of play where each golfer in a foursome takes a stroke, then the best position of the four balls is determined, then every golfer starts from that position for the next stroke. Best ball means the entire foursome finishes with the same score. 

The winning foursome Sunday took home a $500 cash prize. Second place received either a complementary tee time from Back Nine, or four-dozen Titleist pro golf balls. Third place receives the last prize. 

The first place prize came down to a runoff where two foursomes played to last six holes of the back nine again. The winner of that race was Bob Shurtleff, Jim Camacho, Charlie Powers, Mike Wedge with a score of 47.  Second place was John Silva, Tony Martinho, Vinnie Lovegrove, Bill Burns, also with a score of 47. Third place went to Gerry Lemieux, Mike Lemieux, Henry Viera and Jim Camacho, with a score of 48. The air cannon contest winner was Jacob Couto. 

The Knights of Columbus try to host about one fundraiser per quarter. They last hosted the annual fishing derby earlier this summer.