Rotary Charity Golf Tournament at Blowing Rock Country Club October 7

At the September 14 meeting of The Rotary Club of Blowing Rock, golf tournament chair Mike Capristo reported that as many as 92 men and women golfers of all skill levels will compete in the 2009 Charity Golf Tournament, scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, at Blowing Rock Country Club (BRCC)—and this year they will have at least one extra incentive to participate. 

Thanks to a sponsorship by Blowing Rock-based Watauga Equity Management, Inc., each participating golfer in the 14th annual event will automatically be eligible to win a new 2010 PING G15 Combo Set of hybrids and irons in a special, grand prize drawing. John Albright, an event co-chair, estimates the retail value of the grand prize at $840.

One of the very few opportunities for non-BRCC members to play the Blowing Rock course, the Rotary tournament has been set for a 1:00 pm “Schramble” start. Registration begins at noon in front of the BRCC Pro Shop. Practice facilities also open at noon for participating golfers. 

While each participant will have no worse than a 1-in-92 chance of winning the new golf clubs, in addition to team and individual skill prizes, the real winners of the event are the numerous nonprofit agencies and college scholarships supported each year by The Rotary Club of Blowing Rock. These include OASIS, The Hunger and Health Coalition, Western Youth Network, Watauga Education Foundation, Blowing Rock Community Arts Center and many others. At least two four-year college scholarships are awarded annually to deserving Watauga High School seniors, and last year the Rotary club began support of an innovative, need-based scholarship program through Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute.

During its 2008-2009 fiscal year, Blowing Rock Rotary raised and distributed more than $68,000, mostly to Watauga County-based agencies and scholarship programs. The golf tournament is one of the club’s principal fundraisers, along with the Charity Horse Show, the massive Attic and Garage Sale (October 2 and 3) and the Charity Music Show, among other events and activities.

“By supporting a Blowing Rock Rotary event,” said Watauga Equity Management President David Rogers, “I am confident that our sponsorship dollars will have a profound impact on local needs because Rotary keeps nothing for administrative costs. From the club officers to the newest member, everyone is a volunteer and committed to community service. Any business looking to re-invest even a small portion of its profits back into Blowing Rock and Watauga County will do no better than to support the work of Blowing Rock Rotary.” 

Event Co-Chair Capristo noted that the committee for this year’s event is dedicated to staging a high quality event. “Co-Chair Jenny Miller is working hard at recruiting players,” Capristo said, “which is an important part of a successful tournament because we want to provide our sponsors with maximum exposure for their advertising investment. Nearly everyone in the club is involved with sponsorship sales, and even in the soft economy we are exceeding our expectations thanks in large part to the additional exposure from the grand prize drawing facilitated by the Watauga Equity sponsorship.”

Added Albright, “Howard Williams is coordinating the large number of volunteers required to effectively run an event of this size. Harold Walker is helping us with effective communications on all levels at Blowing Rock Country Club, aimed at ensuring sustained strong relationships between our organizations. Ann Williams and A.B. Pearson are monitoring all aspects of the event for quality control; Bill Leahey is doing a masterful job in accounting for the monies collected and disbursed; and Bob Darst has taken on the enormous and important task of sponsorship signage. At the Country Club, we are working closely with [golf pro] Wayne Smith and [general manager] Eric Davidson to make sure everything goes smoothly. Thanks to the energy and dedication of our membership, this may be the best organized golf event in the 14 years we have been doing it.”

Darst acknowledged the generosity of the Watauga County community in previous events, but noted how important it is for businesses and individuals to dig a little deeper in supporting the 2009 event. “We have friends and neighbors that are in desperate need of help this year because of the economic recession. Some have lost their jobs. Area nonprofits are bombarded with requests for help. It has never been more important for tournament sponsors to find room for our events in their budgets. And playing in a golf tournament will never be more satisfying than this one—whatever you score on the golf course—because of the profound impact your participation dollars will have in addressing the needs of others less fortunate than ourselves.” 

Prospective sponsors should contact John Albright at 828-295-4576. A gold sponsorship is $250; a silver sponsorship is $150. 

Prospective players may pick up entry forms at most Watauga County golf club pro shops, including BRCC, or call Jenny Miller at 828-295-0128. The individual entry fee is $125 for non-members of BRCC, $100 for BRCC members. Entry includes a post-tournament dinner at the Country Club’s lake house (non-playing guests may attend at a cost of $25 each). 

Interested players may enter as singles, twosomes, threesomes or as full teams. Partial teams will be merged or filled out to complete a foursome. The maximum permitted handicap is 36. Men and women players are invited. Skill awards will be given to straightest drive, longest drive and closest to the pin (on par 3s).

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