Two Tryon organizations the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) and the Friends of Harmon Field were among the 72 charities receiving donations from the BMW Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament recently.

FENCE received $9,065 from South Carolina Charities, Inc., which manages the event, and the Friends of Harmon Field received a check for $1,065.

Melissa Le Roy of FENCE says the $9,065 will be used to fund FENCE’s outdoor recreation and nature education programs.

“Without our volunteers we would not have received this money,” Le Roy said. “Their efforts were essential to our participation in this program.”

Lorna Dever of the Friends of Harmon Field said the money will be used to support the organization’s scholarship program and its general activities fund.

The awards were announced recently at a Communities for Charity BMW Golf Tournament reception at Michelin on Main in downtown Greenville, S.C.

The 10th annual BMW Charity Pro-Am golf tournament, presented by SYNNEX Corporation, raised $665,041 for 72 Upstate and Western North Carolina charities.

“We’re thrilled to be able to give back to these 72 non-profit organizations,” said Bobby Hitt, president of South Carolina Charities. “These charities not only support the tournament with volunteers, but they sell tickets and playing opportunities. It’s a win-win situation for all involved.”

Awards were also presented to the 2010 volunteers of the year as well as one for the Nationwide Tour’s volunteer of the week. The 2010 volunteers of the year were Jack Davis (Thornblade Club), Ray Dowis (The Carolina Country Club), Cynthia Tucker (Bright’s Creek Golf Club) and Martie O’Shields (transportation committee). Alan Weymouth was named the Nationwide Tour volunteer of the week.

Tournament officials also announced that the 2011 event will move to the third week of May, with tournament rounds occurring May 19-22, 2011. Information regarding sponsorship and playing opportunities for the 2011 event may be obtained by contacting Mike Ivester at 864-630-9276. All opportunities will be posted online at www.bmwcharitygolf.com in September.

A record 57,000 fans withnessed Justin Hicks win the 10th annual BMW Charity Pro-Am this year. The win, which came after a one-hour rain delay in which Hicks and pro Fabian Gomez were the only two remaining golfers left on the 18th fairway, was the first this year for the University of Michigan alum. He finished the tournament at -20 under par (66,65,69,66).

Amateur Rolf Klam and his professional partner Scott Gutschewski won the Pro-Am/Pro-Celeb portion of the tournament at -47 under par. They donated their $5,000 winnings to the S.C. Mountains to Midlands Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

South Carolina Charities is making some changes in the way charities are selected and in the operation of the event, so local organizations will have to wait until sometime next month to find out whether they are among the charities that are invited to apply next year.