Rotary Club sets fundraising record with golf tourney

The 26th Annual Williamston Noon Rotary Club Golf Tournament once again broke the club’s money raising record

The net profit of $16,455 broke previous tournament revenue.

Roanoke Country Club played host to the 92 linksmen teeing up for the yearly event.

This year 23 foursomes competed for the number one spot, with each player contributing to the tournament’s goal of raising money for area non-profits and other Rotarian projects. Yearly the biggest trophies are bragging rights by the winning foursome adding to the anticipated competition.

Coastal Plain Timber Co. captured top honors this year with Hugh Kennedy, Ryan Kennedy, Ross Kennedy and Kip Sales, finishing in first place.

Jeremiah Taylor, Troy Edwards, Brian Whitehurst and Charles Mobley, of the First National Bank team finished in second place. The Domar Paper Company foursome, comprised of Todd Rogers, Manny Robinson, Whit Ross and Burch Whitley finished in third place.

“I am so thankful for the continued support from our amazing community for our annual golf tournament. This year was a wonderful success, despite the weather trying to mess it up,” said Kasey Fletcher, President of the Rotary Club. “We are eager to be able to give the money we earned back to the community. After all, that’s what Rotary does. We are Service Above Self. We do this for the benefit of people that need it in our community.”

The club feels fortunate to have so many participants.

“We are fortunate that many of our club members are business and community leaders, and have entered teams, and some are actually playing,” said Roy Lilley of his fellow Rotarians. “I have been involved in this tournament since its inception. In the beginning, we were excited about having six to eight teams, and clearing $1,000.”

All of the proceeds go towards Rotary’s community activities and are directed towards the benefit of the community and other organizations.

Currently, Rotary supports the popular ‘I Like Me Project,’ a variety of scholarships for high school seniors along with supporting the Boys and Girls clubs in Williamston and Robersonville. The Williamston Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary also benefits from the golf tournament.

It has been proven hunger stunts learning abilities. Rotarians work to alleviate hunger by donating to Blessings in a Backpack, a non-profit organization that feeds school children in the United States who currently are fed during the week on the federally funded Free and Reduced Meal Program and are at risk of going hungry on the weekends.

Rotary also works to support the Chamber of Commerce stage, Friends of the Old Courthouse and a number of food pantries throughout the county.