The Tellico Village Ladies Golf Association’s annual “Give Back Day” successfully raised money for Our PLACE, an adult day center in Tellico Village for those who battle Alzheimer’s and dementia.
“It got a little hotter later in the day, but the weather earlier was perfect,” Teresa Reed, TVLGA vice president, said.
The 60 members of the 18-hole golf league raised more than $6,156 for the center, including $435 for a longest drive.
“We had a large number of members participate,” Reed said. “It was a very social atmosphere.”
Winners of the team scramble with a score of 62, or 10 under par, included Janet Kincaid, Anne Parkhill, Judy Steffen and Sandra Douglas.
“We played a four-person scramble, everyone played from the yellow tee box,” Reed said. “It was exciting to hit routine shots and sometimes swing for the fences.”
The money raised went toward a scholarship started by Tom J. Findley. Findley, who formerly served as a board member for Our PLACE, spearheaded the effort to establish a scholarship to help those suffering from the initial onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia who might not otherwise be able to participate in the day center.
“I thought it was great that his wife Lucia was there to talk with us,” Cindy Challfant, TVLGA president, said.
Findley died in December and the center’s board chose to honor his memory by establishing the Thomas J. Findley Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Challfant said it was the second year in a row TVLGA donated $6,000 or more to Our PLACE.
“Last year we donated just to Our PLACE,” she said. “This year we donated to the scholarship fund.”
PGA Advisor Sharon Lemelman was part of the fundraising effort by offering a longest drive on hole No. 12 to contributing golfers.
“If you gave a donation, she would hit your shot for your team,” Challfant said.
Event sponsors included Donnie Iverson of Merrill Lynch, Heather Majka of Citizens Insurance Solutions and Brent Parkhill of Flexx Fitness, Personal Training Solutions.
Special thanks was also given to PGA Advisor Lucas Ford for organizing the tournament.
“Lucas did a phenomenal job putting together competitive teams,” Reed said. “It was a tight finish across the scoreboard at the end.”
Reed also thanked Bonnie Wood and Sandra Douglas for making special prizes for winners and Vickie Schwartz and Brenda Jackson for making desserts. Jean Clesen, Vicki Schwerdt, Brenda Lawson, Brenda Jackson and Ruth Mullen helped organize the event.
Future funding events for the day center will include an open house 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 17 at Our PLACE and a car and motorcycle show 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 1 at First Baptist Church in Lenoir City.
