With goals of helping youths attend college, a group of golfers enjoyed teeing up for future scholars.
The Sampson High School Alumni Association’s (SHSAA) 31st Golf Tournament was recently held at the Timberlake Golf Club. Its purpose is to raise money for scholarships. The golfers collectively brought in about $9,000. Since the beginning, the tournament raised more than $100,000.
Each year, more than 35 players from Sampson County, North Carolina and all over the country attend the tournament. Some of the places include Myrtle Beach, S.C., Washington, D.C., New Jersey and Virginia. After the tournament, a dinner was provided during the two-day event.
Roy Parker, a member of the tournament committee and alumni association member, said the competition for the event gets better each year.
“We’ve been successful in getting a lot of people from out of state,” Parker said. “The word about the tournament is getting around and I’m very pleased with that.”
The 50th year celebration for SHSAA will take place in 2022. SHSAA is close to reaching the $500,000 mark in scholarship donations for needy students. A $1 million endowment plan is underway for the organization’s longevity.
SHSAA has awarded more than 200 scholarships. Lenzie Grice, a committee member for the tournament, said it’s a good opportunity to give back to the community and to help students who wouldn’t have a chance to attend college.
“We support the kids who have the good grades and who want to go to college, but have no means of financial support,” Grice said. “We try to help them fulfill their dreams.”
After earning a football scholarship from Shaw University, Grice remember getting support from SHS graduates in the Raleigh area. Some of it included Sunday dinners.
“That was fantastic,” he said. “When I come back, I always remember to visit those people.”
Grice added that it’s always a good feeling to give back and he became involved with the alumni association. The organization receives support from the community and businesses, who sponsored the tournament. Jesse Williams, president of the SHSAA showed appreciation for the support.
“We will all again favor from our divine creator by sharing our goods and resources to this worthy cause,” Williams said. “We are winners so we pray for birdies and eagles to better your golf scores.”
Many awards were distributed. Lorenzo Allen was the winner of the Championship Flight award. Some of the other top awards went to Anne Wells, Robert Harden and William Lowe.
SHSAA was formed in 1973 by graduates and is a nonprofit organization. An annual reunion is held in August each year. In addition to raising money for scholarships, some of the goal include continuous fellowship, promoting allegiance and uniting graduates.