Photo by Gloria Edwards
Sampson Community College Foundation member Ann Thornton is in deep concentration as she prepares to drive during Thursday’s annual golf tournament, held at Coharie Country Club.
Photo by Gloria Edwards
Dr. John McPhail prepares to sink a putt during Thursday’s tournament.
The Sampson Community College Annual Sampson Classic- William M. “Bill” Johnson, Jr. Invitational, was held Thursday, at Coharie Country Club. Spearheaded by Committee chairs Ann Thornton, Neal Strickland and Bill Fulton, the tournament lived up to its reputation as a classic.
The Sampson Classic is a charity golf tournament, sponsored annually by the SCC Foundation and generates gifts and pledges to advance the academic mission of SCC and the students it serves.
Twenty-seven teams of enthusiastic golfers descended upon the greens at 10 a.m. for the tee off. SCC president Dr. William Aiken said he was pleased with the outstanding participation and the welcome sight of those in attendance. “We are grateful to the community for their continued, loyal support of Sampson Community College and the Sampson Classic. Everyone involved in this tournament is providing opportunities for students wishing to achieve their educational goals and dreams, and we are humbled by their commitment.”
The overall winning team in the Championship Flight, with a score of 55 in a scorecard playoff, was the Group Benefits Services Group comprised of Keith Waters, Steve Williams, Jonathan Williams and Bobby Spell. Second place in the Championship Flight, with a score of 55 also, went to the Lakewood Country Club team, comprised of Karl Thurber, Curtis Maroschak, James Sutton and Jeremy Autry. Third place in the same flight was the Fetterman team comprised of Bill Turlington, Jackie Parrish, Bob Carr and Ricky Zeng, who came up a stroke short with a score of 56. Fourth place went to the Hog Slat Team, comprised of Billy Herring, Charles Groff, A.J. Fetsko and David Herring.
Coming in first place in the Second Flight was the Ford of Clinton team, comprised of Jeff Garris, Jeff Garris Jr., John Garris and Ronnie Williams, with a score of 57. Second place in the Second Flight went to the Bailey Team 2, sponsored by Ann Glover, and comprised of Greg Thornton, Jeffrey Spell, Randy Wiggins and Mike Gupton, with a score of 58. Coming in third was the Prestage Team 1, comprised of Randy Folger, Randy Barefoot, John Prestage and Jim Carr, with a score of 59. Rounding out the category in fourth place was George Williams and the Misfits Team, comprised of George Williams, Stan Roberts, Dwight Horne and Tommy Tucker, with a score of 62.
First Place in the Third Flight belonged to GO Automotive, comprised of David Schulte, Steve Stefanovich, Louie Andrews and Chris Fann, with a score of 60. The second place spot went to New Century Bank, comprised of Ashley Odom, Jason Tyndall, Ann Thornton and Clark Hales, with a score of 63. Third place in this flight went to Prestage Team 2, comprised of Glenn Jordan, Chris Sutton, Tim Orban and Tim Walters, with a score of 64. Fourth place in the same category belonged to Bailey Team 1, comprised of Jennifer Eavenson, Darell Matthews, Bruce Creech and Bill Starling, with a score of 65.
First place in the Fourth Flight winner was CMS Farming, comprised of Henry Turlington, Tom Johnson, Jimmy Spell and Clay Strickland, with a score of 60. Second place belonged to First Citizens Bank Team, comprised of Wallace Herring, Ronnie Jackson, Tim Sumner and Jack Waters, with a score of 63. Strickland Wolf Backers Team, comprised of Clint Strickland, Sherrill Strickland, Bryan Strickland and Brandon Strickland, took the third place slot with a score of 64. Fourth place in the Fourth Flight went to Smithfield Packing, comprised of Jon Heard, Kenneth Parker, Fran Leerkes and Richard Vaughn, with a score of 65.
The Tournament Committee was pleased with the turnout for the Classic and wished the college continued success with this great fund-raising event. “Coharie Country Club has gone above and beyond to make this a fun and successful event for our players, sponsors and the SCC Foundation. Our thanks also go to the general membership at the club for allowing us full use of their course during the time of year that typically features some of eastern North Carolina’s best weather for golf,” said Fulton.
Neal Strickland, tournament co-chairman, echoed similar sentiments. “I have had the pleasure of being able to play a role in this tournament since 2003. It has an honor and privilege to be part of such a fun and worthwhile event that honors my dear friend Mr. Bill Johnson, and provides many scholarship opportunities for our young adults that wish to attend SCC.”
Mr. Johnson, the tournament’s namesake, toured the course and visited with golfers throughout the day, while expressing his gratitude and humble appreciation. “One of my greatest joys has been my involvement with the SCC Foundation through the years, and I am honored to be affiliated with such a fine institution and outstanding golf tournament.”
Lisa Turlington, executive director of the Foundation, notes that this tournament would not have been possible without Johnson leading the charge. “We appreciate how the community embraces this tournament honoring one of the Foundation’s best advocates, Bill Johnson. We were especially grateful for the camaraderie of the players who had a lot of fun raising money for a good cause. “
For more information about the tournament, contact the SCC Foundation Office at 592-8081 or visit www.sampsoncc.edu.
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