June 21st marked not only the longest day of the calendar year in 2017 but also the return of the Bent Tree Foundation’s major Scholarship Fundraiser, which is appropriately named “The Longest Day of Golf” and is frequently referred to by participants and spectators alike as LDOG.
2017 marked the second year of the new format where rather than “closing” the course for a tournament we encouraged the whole community to come out and play anytime during the day and make a donation to the Foundation a part of their round that day.
The Bent Tree Foundation Directors took turns manning the registration booth out on the patio and willingly accepting donations from scheduled players, accidental players, regular donors and just folks who wandered by and wanted to help out. When the day ended, over $5,000 had been raised through the generosity of the golfers and their supporters as well as Scholarship Major Donors who chose to mark the occasion by making their annual donations for a named or school-specific scholarship.
Players represented many of the regular ladies’ and men’s golfing groups, but the hands down winner among golfing teams was the Dinosaurs led by Dino Colston who more than doubled the next closest playing team. THANKS, DINO.
It is the Foundation’s hope that the tournament will continue to grow next year with not only golfing groups, but all of the activities and associations in the community along with local businesses joining to fill the course from early until late. A turnout of this nature would provide even more funds for scholarships to our Pickens County High School graduates and Grants to teachers throughout the Pickens County School System.
Plan now on participating in next year’s event and seeing your name or organization’s name listed as the top fund raiser. If you want to make a donation to the Scholarship Fund or even create a named or school-specific scholarship, just contact Foundation President Jesse Hunter, Treasurer Colin Thompson or any Bent Tree Foundation Board Member.
Once again, THANKS to everyone that donated and special thanks to all those who played.
See you next year. Bring your A game and a big check!