WCC Foundation golf tournament raises scholarship funds
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on July 19, 2015 1:50 AM
pmoore@newsargus.com
The Foundation of Wayne Community College had another banner year for its annual fundraiser for student scholarships.
What started out as a golf tournament has evolved into one of the strongest events of its type across the state's community college system.
The 23rd annual scholarship invitational reached another milestone organizers said, netting $167,000 raised through the golf tournament, live and silent auctions as well as sponsorships and donations.
"People keep asking us how do we keep growing," Jack Kannan, executive director of the Foundation, said. "The main this is, everybody speaks the same language -- 100 percent of the money goes for scholarships.
"We have to give all the money away every year. Even when the market didn't do well, in 2008-2009, this (event) was a lifesaver. It's helping us do more for our students than we have ever been able to do."
The fundraiser was created in 1993 by Dillon Wooten to put toward student scholarships. The first event, held at Lane Tree Golf Club, brought in $14,000.
In 2008, Jackson and Sons Heating and Air Conditioning became tournament sponsor and the following year moved the event to Walnut Creek Country Club, where it has remained since.
Also in 2009, Larry Boyce became tournament chairman and over the next six years helped the event to incrementally raise proceeds each year, making it the most successful golf tournament in the N.C. Community College system.
In 2010, the name was changed to Scholarship Invitation to better reflect its main purpose.
Jeff Jackson and Meagan Bourgeois became tournament co-chairmen in 2014 and continued in the role this year.
Last year, the event raised over $150,000 and helped provide funding for 228 scholarships.
It surpassed the $1 million mark in 2013 and continues to be a popular event among area golfers. Cumulatively to date, it has amassed $1,439,000 for the Foundation scholarships.
Thirty teams participated in the recent tournament. Recognition was given to the teams with the best net score, the golfer's score after handicap strokes have been deduced, and gross score, referring to the total number of strokes during during the round of golf, plus any penalty strokes.
First place net team included Bill Charlton, Bill Lamm, David Vucinich and Joe Prichard. First place group included Brandon Campbell, Kenney Moore, Michael Sauls and Eddie Daniels.
Awards were also given to David Flowers for longest drive and Prichard for closest to the pin.
Jeff Jackson said he was proud to have been affiliated with the fundraiser and impressed by the efforts of all the volunteers who helped make it a success.
When first approached by Kannan, he said he was struck by one thing.
"We're helping people who want to get ahead in life by giving them a chance to get a higher education," he said. "That was the thing that was most important to me about being part of this event."