The Story
A Hole-in-One
As I see it, there are two ways for an organization to exploit a vice for a good cause. The first is through punitive measures that, while acknowledging the vice exists, at least de-incentivize it. This is what things like taxes do: they seek to gain from and to some extent curb bad behaviors like alcohol and tobacco consumption. These cases are a win-win: the government takes in more cash and we get less of the socially detrimental actions. Because of this outcome, it would be hard to find someone with a compelling argument against such measures.
The other means of exploiting a vice is different. In the second scenario, an organization realizes people’s desire to do something and sets up an event in which such behavior is encouraged and validates participants paying money to be involved, like a casino night. Such is the set-up of Kappa Delta’s Campus Golf event. While alcohol consumption is, of course, not explicitly encouraged, it’s widely recognized that getting blitzed or at least tipsy beforehand is part of the game. The fact that KD is using college students’ desire to consume alcohol in excessive quantities to make money for charity has lead some members of the William and Mary community to wonder if such a practice should be an acceptable way of conducting a charity event.
I will be completely upfront: I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what KD is doing. I remember that when I first came to William and Mary last semester one thing I noticed right away was how often I saw people wearing â€"KD Campus Golf.†It was clear to me right from the get-go that whatever it was, it was a huge deal, and consequently I was pretty excited for it. I have since found out that of the assorted charity events at this school, Campus Golf is far and away the highest grossing. And it makes sense that it would be so. College students love drinking, dressing up in silly costumes and generally having fun. If they can do that for $10 and get a t-shirt with it, many will do it.
Providing an incentive other than guilt or moral superiority is important when trying to get 20-somethings to care enough to shell out a significant donation for charity. KD has figured out a good way of doing that. I honestly have no idea what the money was going to, and I’m willing to bet that none of my friends on team â€"Fore Play†know either, but the clever sorority still got $50 out of us; not too shabby.
According to the people I’ve spoken with, all told, the event netted (not grossed) $20,000 which is apparently more than all other annual William and Mary charity events combined. To me, this alone validates whatever debauchery the day brings out. College students like to get smashed every now and again. For many, partying is a weekly or even biweekly occurrence. And it isn’t as though we never do it in public—look at Blow Out. At least in this instance something positive comes from it. Or so I imagine; again, I don’t know (or really care) what the charity was.
There are also other benefits to take into consideration. There were many tour groups walking around campus while the event was going on, which makes us look like a fun, lively campus, which is bound to attract sociable students (even if acting as a deterrent to some parents).
Because KD Golf is held about a month into the semester, lots of students are dealing with their first round of midterms. The event thus provides a stress-valve for many and a much-needed respite from Swem and a re-introduction to open sunlight.
All in all, considering how much fun the event provides and how much cash it brings in, maybe we should put our hang-ups about alcohol aside and just enjoy KD golf. I know that’s what I’m going to keep doing.
Ross Kingston is a staff columnist for the DSJ. His views do not necessarily represent those of the entire staff.