Golf Outings
19th Annual Chamber Classic Golf Tournament
The competition was tough, and the fun was abundant. It was a great combination for the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce’s 19th Annual Chamber Classic golf tournament on Monday, June 1. With ideal weather conditions, golfers enjoyed a fun networking event that also provided some close final scores.
“This year’s tournament was a tremendous success with strong businesses support through sponsorships, prizes, players and volunteers,” according to Brian Finney, chairman of the Chamber Classic golf committee. The tournament, which had an afternoon flight, featured a captain’s choice format.
Capturing first place gross was the Danville Register & Bee team of Howard Kowitz, Chad Mitchell, Eric Moehling, and Andrew Tilley with a score of 55.
Second place gross winners were Ramsey Yeatts, Daniel Mayhew, Jeff Leatherman, and Richard Meadows representing the Aaron W. Johnson Auction & Realty team. They shot a 56 and finished in second after matching cards.
The third place gross winner was the Columbia Forest Prodcuts team with team members Andy Shaw, Mike Lee, Tony Marsh, and John Kellum who also shot a 56.
Fourth place gross winners were Floyd Merryman, Andrew Shimpock, Bobby Lovelace, and Lee Lovelace with a score of 58. They were representing the team of Sonny Merryman, Inc.
Rounding out fifth place in gross score with a 59 was the Piedmont Big Sale team of Jay Barker, Jim Eggleston, Bill Barker, and Steve Daniels.
Capturing first place in net score with a 54 was the Hargrave Military Academy team of Wheeler Baker, Walter Sullivan, Frank Martin, and Gerry Burnett.
The EMBARQ team of Anthony Porch, John Adkins, Shane Brackin, and Wayne Porch took home second place net honors with a score of 55 after matching cards as the result of a three-way tie.
Third place net winners with a score of 55 were Warner Hall, Charlie Bowman, Robert Workman, and Robert Nichols, representing the Coca Cola Bottling/Apple Market team.
The team of Harris, Harvey, Neal & Co. won fourth place net with a score of 55. Team members were Mark Foster, Stephen Gay, John Neal, and Vaden Wright.
Finishing in fifth place net with a score of 56 was the Dewberry team of Larry Hasson, Jeffrey Bond, Buddy Rawley, and Benny Summerlin.
Danny Cline of Danville Regional Medical Center was closest to the pin on hole #6, winning a keg roaster from Davenport Energy. Glen Gillispie of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative won a photography package from Jinks Perspective Group, LLC for being closest to the pin on hole #16.
While Barkhouser Ford Lincoln Mercury donated a new Ford Flex and Ben David Jewelers donated a one carat diamond for a hole-in-one, no lucky golfer was able to walk away with one of the big prizes.
“The 19th Annual Chamber Classic Tournament was successful due to the outstanding support from the Chamber members and affiliated businesses. We appreciate their support and commitment to the Chamber in our efforts to energize the region by creating exceptional business growth and profitability in a vibrant, customer-centered culture,” stated Finney.
First place gross was the Danville Register & Bee team of Howard Kowitz, Chad Mitchell, Eric Moehling, and Andrew Tilley.
First place net was the Hargrave Military Academy team of Wheeler Baker, Walter Sullivan, Frank Martin, and Gerry Burnett.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Lunch and Reception Sponsors:
Danville Distributing Company
Virginia Bank & Trust Company
Wilkins & Co. Realtors/Wilkinson Consulting and CPA, PLC
Primary Team Sponsors:
R.J. Baldwin Agency Inc.
Barkhouser Ford Lincoln Mercury Inc.
BB&T
Carpetland USA
Coca-Cola Bottling Company/Apple Market
Columbia Forest Products
Danville Regional Medical Center
Danville Register & Bee
Danville Toyota Scion
Davenport Energy, Inc
Dewberry
Embarq Corporation
Farm Credit of The Virginias-ACA
First Piedmont Corporation
Hargrave Military Academy
Harris, Harvey, Neal & Co., LLP
Intertape Polymer Group/Sartomer Company
Aaron W. Johnson Auction & Realty
Lawrence Distributing Company
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative
Piedmont Big Sale, Inc.
Retail Merchants Association
Reychem Co., Inc.
Sonny Merryman, Inc.
Virginia Bank & Trust
Virginia Uranium Inc.
Wilkins & Co. Realtors
Wilkinson Consulting and CPA, PLC
Contest Sponsors:
Barkhouser Ford Lincoln Mercury
Ben David Jewelers
Davenport Energy
Jinks Perspective Group, LLC
Hole Sponsors:
Commonwealth Home Health Group
Farm Credit of the Virginias ACA-Chatham
Gateway Health Alliance, Inc.
Sonny Merryman, Inc.
Golf Cart Sponsors:
All-Virginia Title and Escrow, Inc.
Four Seasons Pest Control, Inc.
Gateway Health Alliance, Inc.
Paws To The Pavement
Sacred Heart
Schoolfield Lumber & Plywood
Todd Breaux State Farm
Prizes and Other Contributions:
Ben David Jewelers
Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Danville Community College
Danville Toyota
Davenport Energy, Inc.
EMBARQ
First Citizens Bank
Lawrence Distributing Company
Piedmont Glass
PIP Printing
Schoolfield Lumber & Plywood
The Willard Companies
17th Annual Ed Steffey Memorial Education Open Golf Tournament
The rain and wind may have delayed this year’s Ed Steffey Memorial Education Open golf tournament, but it didn’t hinder the fun and focus of this annual outing. Approximately 150 golfers participated in the golf tournament on October 1st with all proceeds going to education projects in our region. The tournament was originally scheduled for September 26th but rain and high winds forced organizers to delay the tournament until the following Wednesday.
“Seventeen years ago former Goodyear plant manager Ed Steffey had a vision. A fervent supporter of education, Ed saw financial needs within our educational system that were not being met through traditional funding methods,” explained Goodyear-Danville Plant Manager Andrew Harper. “Ed joined with what is now the Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce to start this annual golf tournament with proceeds designated for education needs.”
Over the past 16 years the Education Open golf tournament has raised more than $225,000 for classroom projects in local classrooms, grades K-12 and beyond. Funds are distributed by the chamber of commerce. The final proceeds from this year’s tournament are still being tabulated.
During the morning round of golf, the team from Bojangles-Mountain Food Services posted one of the lowest scores in the history of the tournament to sail past the competition. The Bojangles team shot a 53 in the captain’s choice tournament which featured no mulligans or ‘red tees.’ Team members included Tommy Rogers, Chad Anderson, Allen Knick, and Kenneth Shultz.
Second place honors went to the Unichem team of Pete Rust, Buddy Hudson, Mike Sigmon, and Gary Harris. Each player received a $150 gift certificate.
Taking home third place and a $100 gift certificate each was the Piedmont Precision Machine, Inc. team who shot a 59. Team members were Bill Harris, Lee Lovelace, Tom Waller, and Gerald Vernon.
Finishing fourth and winning $50 gift certificates for each player was the team of the Goodyear Auto Service Centers with a score of 61. The team won on matching cards. Team members were Gold Adkins, Wayne Jackson, Jim Gourley, and Doug Kendrick.
To add excitement to the tournament, organizers also awarded an 8th place prize.
Capturing 8th place with a score of 63 was the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Team of Lee Burton, Rick Murphy, Rex Blackwell, and Chris Crawley. The foursome won $50 gift certificates each.
Winners of the closest-to-the-pin contests in the morning were Wayne Teague, Allen Knick, Gerald Vernon, Chad Anderson, and Tom Waller. Each closest-to-the-pin winner received a $75 gift certificate to the Goodyear Pro Shop.
During the afternoon flight, 25 teams fought a close battle with only two strokes separating the top four teams.
The Woods Rogers PLC team of Scott Wintrode, Shane Brackin, Richie Brackin, and Eddie Hammock won on score of 56. All players on both the morning and afternoon first place teams earned a set of Goodyear tires.
Second place was the Designed Benefits of Virginia, Inc. #2 team of Stacy Yeatts, Elvis Phelps, Lowell Yeatts, and Jeff Yeatts with a score of 57. Each winner received a $150 gift certificate. The Designed Benefits team won by matching cards and captured second place on an eagle on #8.
Taking third place honors was the team of Billy Doss, Rick Hawkins, Andrew Tilley, and Mary Nicholson, playing for Edward Jones. The team shot a 57, and team members received a $100 gift certificate.
Taking 4th place honors and $50 gift certificates each were Mark Foster, Steven Gay, Vaden Wright, and Ramsey Yeatts who were playing for Harris, Harvey, Neal & Co. The team shot a 58.
The Ed Steffey family team of Paul Crenshaw, David Carson, Michael Holbrook, and Terry Robinson finished in 17th place. With a score of 63, each player won a $50 gift certificate.
There was also a ladies’ division this year. Capturing the team prize was the Designed Benefits of Virginia, Inc. #1 team with members Dorinda Gibson, Donna Bennett, Ruth Barnard, and Lurlene Wilkerson. Each member received a $50 gift certificate.
Afternoon winners of the closest-to-the pin contests were David Squier, Richard Adams, Allen Knick, Chad Anderson, and Mary Nicholson. Each winner received a $75 gift certificate to the pro shop.
“I am thrilled with the overwhelming support of area businesses and individuals for this tournament,” Harper commented. “What makes this golf tournament possible is a community that supports education and values its importance."
