By Staff
Golfers helping raise money to fix school’s aging, leaking tin roof
By TED STRONG
Staff Writer
The brick edifice has dominated Bath’s tiny downtown for nearly a third of the town’s 300-year history.
But it’s been about 20 years since Bath High School has been tinged with the smell of chalk dust or the chatter of excited youngsters starting a new school year.
Some parts of the old school have deteriorated. The third-annual Bath High School Preservation Golf Tournament later this month will be the latest bid by a group of the former school’s friends to raise funds to patch it up.
Claudia Alligood, chairwoman of the committee organizing this year’s tournament, said she’s hoping the event will raise about $3,000, which will go to repairing the school’s tin roof and painting it.
She said the aim is to keep the old school in one piece until the town can decide what to do with it.
To that end, she’s helped organize the tournament at Bayview Golf Course, which will have a superball format, two flights based on handicap and two tee times, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Foursomes may sign up for $40 a person, and sponsors may have their names added for $50 each, Alligood said. There’s a discount for anyone looking to become a sponsor and sign up a foursome at the same time, she said.
Jack Wallace worked at the high school for 45 years, as a principal and as a teacher. He helped organize the tournament. He has participated in it every year.
The high school is a huge part of many people’s image of the town, Alligood said.
Alice Wingate, who co-owns the Bayview course with her husband, Leon, said that the preservation of Bath High School is just one of several causes the couple supports by hosting benefit tournaments.
She sad the tournament is a draw to Bath High School alumni — and also to their friends who are tangentially connected to the school.
But she said that some residents who retired to the area are also interested in helping save the old school, even if they never heard its bell ring or sat in detention there.