Tournament season is underway at Tellico Village, and our largest highest-profile event of the year, the Men’s Member-Guest Golf Tournament, is just around the corner.
This year’s event has a full field of 144 players and 72 teams competing in 12 flights and is scheduled for June 18-21. The tournament format includes five, nine-hole matches, with each team competing against all other teams in their flight.
In 2014, we are again blessed with very generous support of key sponsors allowing this event to continue to evolve and improve as the premier event in Tellico Village. This year’s platinum sponsors include The Gilliam-Montgomery Group at UBS Financial Services, Rice Buick GMC and West Chevrolet. We are also proud to have Keener Homes again this year to provide another exciting home tour. In addition to our platinum sponsors, we have an impressive list of other sponsors that help underwrite the cost of the event, including United Community Bank Mortgage Services, Family Dental Care, First National Bank, Food Lion, Golf Pride, McScrooge’s Wine & Spirits, The Connection and The Village Salon.
The tournament begins with a practice round Wednesday, June 18, followed by a stag party at 6:30 p.m. at the Yacht Club in Tellico Village. The stag party provides an opportunity for members, guests and sponsors to renew old acquaintances and make some new ones while enjoying a buffet dinner. Tournament programs are also distributed, and competitors will have an opportunity to enjoy shopping in the TaylorMade-Adidas proshop.
The actual competition begins Thursday morning with a buffet breakfast, followed by two, nine-hole matches. Teams play two matches on Friday as well, and lunch is provided each day after completion of play. Daily flight winners are awarded to the first-place teams in each flight on Thursday and Friday. Teams can only win one day. Teams play one final match on Saturday to determine the winning teams in each flight.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, June 21, the winning teams from each flight will compete at Toqua Golf Course in the championship shootout to determine the overall champion. Spectators are encouraged, and carts are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you have never attended the Member-Guest championship shootout, you have lost out. It is truly a blast. Last year’s winning team was Marty Horan and his guest, Dick Smith.
While the gentlemen are enjoying the competition, Member-Guest committee member Vicki Schwerdt and her team have organized fun activities for women to enjoy. On Friday, spouses and significant others can enjoy shopping at the Yacht Club’s market place, followed by a fashion show by Veronica G’s Boutique and a lunch. Everyone, including non-participants, are welcome to attend the 2014 Kit Keener Home showcase 1-5 p.m. Maps will be available at the luncheon as well as all of the golf clubhouses.
By every indication, this year’s event will be another resounding success providing opportunities for fun, fellowship and friendly competition. We would also like to welcome more than 15 new teams to the event.
The 2014 Men’s Member-Guest committee members include myself, Barry Corle, Howard Higby, Dave Prince, Randy Schwerdt, Vicki Schwerdt and Tellico Village Property Owners Association Director of Golf Jim West.
Jack McDivitt is a member of the Men’s Member-Guest Golf Tournament committee.
