Clinton High School graduate Tamara Sampson credits her educational success and her love of giving back to the community to the Sampson High School Alumni Association and its members.

As a SHSAA scholarship recipient, Sampson says the opportunity made all the difference in her post high school education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

“The SHSAA scholarship played an big role in my formal education,” Sampson said. “That scholarship was a tremendous help in financing my college education.”

Sampson graduated in May with a degree in finance. She received the scholarship for three years of her schooling, which assisted with purchasing books and other expenses a college student faces.

She credits her educational success to people who laid the ground work for her to get the college education she desperately wanted, people that included the alumni group.

“I truly appreciate the scholarship and the help the alumni association provided for me,” Sampson attested. “It helped me earn my degree and provided assistance for me and my family.”

Raising money for those scholarships is vital, Sampson acknowledged, noting that she supports SHSAA events, such as the upcoming golf tournament which will raise money for those all-important scholarships.

“That’s one of the main reasons for the group,” pointed out Lenzie Grice, a member of the SHSAA golf tournament committee. “Raising money and helping our young people achieve success is vitally important to what we do. That’s why we have the golf tournament each year.”

The two-day tournament, now in its 30th year, tees off Saturday at 8 a.m. at Timberlake Golf Club, with on-site registration starting at 6 a.m. Second day times, on Sunday, are the same as the first day of the tourney.

Of course, they hope the field fills quickly, knowing that a large group means that much more success for the scholarship fund.

To date, the alumni group has provided 200-plus local students with nearly $400,000 in college scholarships. The golf tournament began in 1988 as a way to help raise scholarship money; it has continued for 29 years, raising over $96,000 to the SHSAA Scholarship Fund.

The tournament

The two-day tournament includes three men’s flights and one women’s flight, with cash prizes awarded for Championship Flight, 1st Flight, 2nd Flight and Women’s Flight. Prizes range from $150 to $50. In addition, trophies, gifts and/or other prizes will be awarded for the longest drive and closest to the pin.

Cost to participate is a $130 donation; junior golfers can play for $60. Participants get, in addition to their golf fees, carts, goodie bags, gifts, prizes, refreshments and a full dinner on Sunday.

“We are thrilled to have this tournament in Clinton again this year,” Grice said, “and we are hoping for good attendance, good weather and a good time.”

Members of the Sampson High School Alumni Association golf tournament committee pose with some of the teams participating in last year’s tournament. The 30th annual tourney tees off Saturday at Timberlake Golf Club, with funds raised going toward scholarships.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_golf-tourney.jpgMembers of the Sampson High School Alumni Association golf tournament committee pose with some of the teams participating in last year’s tournament. The 30th annual tourney tees off Saturday at Timberlake Golf Club, with funds raised going toward scholarships.

By Kristy D. Carter

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