ECC Foundation Golf Tournament Set for September 15
The 31st annual ECC Foundation Golf Tournament is set for Thursday, September 15. The winning team from the first tournament in 1985 returned to play again in 2015 and hit the ceremonial tee ball. From left are 1985 Winning Team members Junior Edmondson, Curtis Edmondson, Charlie Harrell, and Carl Thurber. This group placed fifth in the 2015 ECC Foundation Golf Tournament, proving that golf is a lifetime sport.
In 1985, gasoline was about a dollar a gallon, Blockbuster Video opened its first store, New Coke hit the market, and the Edgecombe Community College Foundation held its first golf tournament fundraiser.
Today, gas prices have doubled or more, video stores are kaput, and New Coke is ancient history.
But the Foundation’s golf tournament is stronger than ever. The tournament will celebrate its 31st year when it returns September 15 to Maccripine Country Club in Pinetops.
“It’s a staple for us and the Foundation,” says Tommie Deal, Maccripine’s head golf pro. “I played in it when I was younger, and I’ve worked it as an assistant and as head pro, so I’ve seen it throughout the years.
“We love this tournament. We look forward to it every year.”
The annual golf tournament is one of several fundraisers held by the Edgecombe Community College Foundation, which grants scholarships to students.
Karen Andrus, the Foundation’s executive director, says the ECC Foundation will award about $100,000 in scholarships this year.
“All of the proceeds from the golf tournament go into our scholarship fund,” she says. “Last year, we had about 40 teams, and we raised about $21,000. Over the years, we’ve raised $400,000 through the golf tournament.”
The four-person superball tournament on September 15 will have shotgun starts for two flights – one at 8:30 a.m. and another at 1:30 p.m. The cost per team is $400, which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a chance for numerous door prizes.
Corporate sponsorship is available for $5,000. Other opportunities to support the event include platinum ($3,000), gold ($2,000), and silver ($1,000) levels; fairway sponsors for $500; and hole and tee sponsors for $150.
“It’s a great way to raise money for scholarships,” Deal says. “You can usually find people to play golf.
“For us, it’s a good revenue day. And it’s good to see old friends that you might only see once a year.”
Not a lot has changed with the tournament over the years. Golfers still get McDonald’s breakfast in the morning, grilled burgers and hot dogs at lunch, and Abrams barbecue and chicken dinners in the evening.
And Deal says golfers still get a quality round of golf.
“We redid our greens in the early 2000s, so they’re really good now,” he assures. “I think the course is in as good a shape this year as it’s ever been.”