Steps to HOPE held its eighth annual golf tournament at Red Fox Country Club on Nov. 4. Despite a wet morning and a delayed start, nearly 100 players turned out to support Steps to HOPE by playing in the tournament, which organizers described as very successful.
Once again, a new Toyota Camry was offered as a hole-in-one prize on Red Fox hole No. 10. Everyone, including a couple of golfers whose golf balls landed within inches of the hole, expressed determination to keep coming back to play in the tournament until they drive a new Camry home.
The Great American Ball Drop gave players a chance to have their ball land in the hole after being dropped over the practice tee. Numbered golf balls were purchased in hopes of winning half the entire pot, or $100 for the ball landing closest to the hole. Larry Wassong, whose ball teetered on the edge of the hole but did not drop in, won the event; Wassong donated his prize money back to Steps to HOPE.
Dave Hunt, Bill Sorochak, Bill Squadroni and Jerald DeLaGarza were overall winners of the tournament for the second consecutive year. Scott Myers, Gordie High, Shirl Axtel and Rick Delfosse put together the B flight winning team.
Golfers who won the longest drive challenges were Jessica Justice and Jim Liggett, while Jackie Brouse and Ben McEntire were winners of the closest to the pin contest. Trophies and prizes were awarded to all winning golfers.
Steps to HOPE organizers said golfers, individuals and area businesses not only offered financial support for the tournament but made countless donations in the form of snacks and drinks, gifts for door prizes, breakfast biscuits – and, of course, time. Gold sponsors for the event were Dave Hunt of Rutherford Property Management/McDonald’s and Jerry Johnson of Tryon Federal Bank. Other sponsors included Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LaurelHurst/LaurelWoods, Tryon Riding and Hunt Club and Tryon Estates – ACTS Community.
– article submitted by Debra Backus