Wayne Community College golf tournament set for June 14
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on May 19, 2005 1:45 PM
The Foundation of Wayne Community College will have its 13th golf tournament in June to raise money for scholarships.
The prizes aren't huge, because the golfers realize all the money is going to scholarships, Foundation Executive Director Jack Kannan said Wednesday. Plans are set for dinner sponsored by Outback Steakhouse at 6:15 p.m. June 14 at the Lane Tree Golf Club and the tournament June 15, beginning with an 8:30 a.m. tee-off.
The speaker at the dinner will be Billy Lee, the former Campbell University head basketball coach. Lee is a Mount Olive native, a graduate of Mount Olive College and Atlantic Christian College, a motivational speaker, athletic coach and published author of two books on basketball strategy.
"We've had some good speakers," Kannan said. The speakers have been outstanding people like former governor Bob Scott, Clyde King of the New York Yankees, UNC Athletic Director Dick Baddour and Brig. Gen. Eric Rosborg.
He said college officials have been told the Wayne Community College tournament raises more money than any other tournament held in the state's community college system. The tournament netted $50,000 last year, he said. He said the pressure is on to keep up the pace.
"One hundred percent goes toward scholarships," he said. "We feel that's why we do so well."
The tournament this year has 22 corporate sponsors who contribute at least $1,000, including Wooten Oil Co., the founder of the tournament. Kannan said the corporate sponsors commit to fund the tournament year after year.. Some people even sponsor college faculty and staff members to play, and some of the scholarship recipients volunteer to help out with the tournament.
The deadlne to register is June 10. To play or to enter a team, call 734-1357, Ext. 213 for Debbie Chestnut or 735-5151 for Jack Kannan.
The tournament this year is limited to 128 players. Kannan said the foundation has had more, but the players had to stand in line waiting to tee off. With 128 players, he said, the play is more fluid, and the golfers can finish up by 1 p.m.
"That's what we've seen the last couple of years," Kannan said. "The players like it. It's a fun tournament."