Treasurer’s charity meets local needs
Published 8:40 pm Saturday, September 20, 2014
City treasurer Ronald Williams’ well-established charity golf event had a solid outing this year, and Wounded Warriors and Crime Line are among the local agencies newly added to the list of those benefiting from the funds raised.
Approximately $20,000 came in as a result of the 19th annual Treasurer’s United Way Golf Tournament held on Friday at Nansemond River Golf Club.
“We had a great day,” Williams said. “It’s just so rewarding to be able to put on this event and support these agencies that need some help.”
The money raised goes to the United Way, which has about 70 agencies under its umbrella, and Williams designates specific amounts to go to local organizations.
“We give $2,500 to the Boys and Girls Club of Suffolk from this event,” Williams said.
The Sickle Cell Association will receive $1,500, and Williams also highlighted the Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk. He said 18 churches have gotten together to form CAPS, and “we’re designating a thousand dollars towards that.”
Wounded Warriors, which will be serving injured veterans locally, will receive funds this year, as will the city’s Crime Line, which Williams noted is a small agency that has been in existence for a while, but needs additional money to support the efforts of local police and the Commonwealth Attorney’s office.
Over the course of several years, $10,000 from the tourney was donated to the construction of the Robert W. Harrell Jr. Physical Health and Education Center that opened last year on Bank Street. But Williams said the charity’s funding for the facility will not stop now that it is built.
“We’ll continue to support the operations and their missions,” Williams said.
Friday’s golf tourney featured 28 foursomes, and while it was not the most ever in the event’s history, Williams said, “That’s a nice size tournament where nobody had to wait on anybody. The players commented how well things flowed.”
Accompanied by excellent weather, they were able to complete a round of 18 holes playing Florida Best Ball in less than four and a half hours.
“I think everybody had a nice time,” Williams said.
Winning the first flight of the golf tournament was the Zenith Bank team, which included Bob Stanley, Tim Mounie and Corey Russell. Taking second in the same flight was the team featuring Clarence Brooks, Sandon Rogers, Wayne White and Ronald Williams.
First place in the second flight went to the foursome of Julian Bray, Brian Bunting, Jason Fitzgerald and Steve Smullen. Taking second was Rick Johnson, Bobby Longwood, Earl Sawyer and Ryan Wilson.
David Askew won the helicopter golf ball drop. The prize was $500, which he donated back to the United Way.
“We don’t expect that, and we don’t ask for that, but it’s extraordinary, and it speaks to his community-mindedness when he donated it back,” Williams said.
Other contest winners included Jason Pittman, who recorded the longest drive on No. 18, Lee Hobbs, who had the longest drive on No. 9, and Joe Dalton, who won the putting contest.