WHITE LAKE — The first-ever Rotary International Cup Golf Tournament was held Thursday at Vineyard Golf at White Lake with 11 teams competing in the Captain’s Choice format. The proceeds from the event go to support scholarships for Bladen County students.
Elizabethtown Rotary Club 2017 Scholarship recipients Jacqueline Madden and Marley Ketterer attended the tournament and were presented with their scholarships during the festivities.
The teams were divided into two flights. The winning team for the first flight was Team Giorgios consisting of Phillip Smoak, Giorgio Boussias, Mack McClure and Jake Womble. Team Giorgios also donated back a portion of their winnings. The second-place team in the first flight was Team Davis consisting of Jamie Gause, Jeff Gause, Pam Taylor and Jimmy Davis.
The winning team in the second flight was Team First Bank consisting of Kent Packer, Livingston Lewis, Glen Walters and James Suggs. The second-place team in the second flight was Team Cape Fear Valley consisting of Nathan Dowless, Joseph Russ, Aaron Russ, and Brandon King.
Jake Suggs won for the longest shot and Jeff Gause won for the shot closest to the pin. Mack McClure won the 50-50 drawing and donated the money back to the Elizabethtown Rotary Club. There was also an opportunity to win a car by scoring a hole-in one on Hole No. 5, but no one cashed in.
“Michael Leinwand, Jay Leatherman and all of the golf tournament committee members helped to make this event a success along with our sponsors,” said Charlotte Smith, president of the Elizabethtown Rotary Club. “Bladen County college students will receive more scholarships due to the success we had today. I know this tournament will grow even more next year.”
Leinwand said he wanted to thank the many sponsors who helped to make the event a success. Team sponsors for the event included Melvin’s, who provided lunch; Giorgio’s Restaurant & Pizza; Farm Bureau; Melton’s Restaurant; First Bank; Bobby Taylor Oil; Roy Allen; Bladen County Schools; Elizabethtown Fire Department; Nissan of Clinton-Win a Car with a Hole-In-One; Cape Fear Valley-Bladen Healthcare; and Kinlaw Furniture. There were many other hole sponsors and in-kind sponsors.
President Smith also wanted to thank Assisted Care, Howell and Anna Clark, and McDuffie Pest Control for their support of the event, as well.
Plans are underway for next year’s tournament.