Published Tuesday, October 30, 2012 by Austin Nelson on
Alexcityoutlook.com
More than 70 golfers fought the bitter wind at Willow Point Golf and Country Club Monday in the 19th annual Golf Challenge, sponsored by the Alexander City Rotary Club.
Tournament chairman and Rotarian David Sturdivant said the tournament benefits Children’s Harbor and the Alabama Special Camp for Children and Adults.
“This is the biggest fundraiser that we have all year,” Strudivant said. “I think this year we hope to bring in about $45,000. Some expenses will have to come out of that, but the bulk of that will be split between the two charities.”
Sturdivant said since the tournament began, the club has raised almost $2 million. While Strudivant said it has gotten harder to find sponsors in today’s economic climate, the tradition is still going strong.
“We are proud that we are able to keep the tournament going,” Sturdivant said. “It is still worthwhile for these two charities.”
Dana Rickman, director of marketing and communication for Camp ASCCA said the tournament is one of the largest fundraisers that benefits the camp.
“Most of the money that comes from this tournament goes toward our campership fund, providing money for children and adults with disabilities that want to come to summer camp but need financial assistance paying the full fee,” Rickman said.
Rickman said more than 90 percent of the camp’s participants need financial assistance of some kind.
“Occasionally we will put some of the money towards a capital project,” Rickman said.“We are working right now on converting our sanctuary into an open-air chapel.”
Children’s Harbor Director of Community Relations Tammy Jackson said the funds from the event will help pay the bill for recent additions to the camp.
“The Alexander City Rotary Club sponsored a cabin that was built during our last campaign, so this goes toward the funds used to build that,” Jackson said.
The funds will also help go towards a new lodge at Children’s Harbor that is anticipated to house 50 campers.
“Rotary is good to Children’s Harbor,” Jackson said. “We just appreciate the fact that the whole club is willing to turn out to support this.”
Rickman echoed Jackson’s sentiment.
“The club members really helped out,” Rickman said. “Not only did a lot of them participate, but the club members also went out to get all of the hole sponsors.”
Winners were announced at the end of the day. BBVA Compass Bank was the first place gross scoring team, followed by Children’s Harbor No. 1. Best net team, which accounts for player handicap, was Larry Speaks and Associates, with the second place net score going to team Camp ASCCA.
The closest-to-hole challenge was won by Alan Pate, and Jeffery Veres won the long drive contest on hole 17.
To see photos of the event taken by Camp ASCCA, go to the set on their Flickr page.
Located in Alabama on Lake Martin, Camp ASCCA offers campers a wide variety of traditional recreational and educational activities with a unique design for accessibility.
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