Golf Outings

Ed Steffey Memorial Education Open Golf Tournament

Friday, September 24
Goodyear Golf Course
1 p.m.

Eagle Club ($1,000) – Includes cart fees and lunch for a team of four players you select, first priority for tee time, corporate recognition and signage at the tournament, company recognition in promotional materials, and advertising recognition following the tournament. Eagle Club sponsors will also receive a complimentary round of golf for four with carts, to be used at your convenience at the Goodyear Golf Club.
President’s Club ($500) – Includes cart fees and lunch for a team of four players you select, corporate recognition and signage at the tournament, company recognition in promotional materials, and advertising recognition following the tournament.
Team Fee ($400) – Includes cart fees and lunch for a team of four players you select.
Hole Sponsor ($250) – Includes hole sponsor signage and recognition at the tournament, company recognition in promotional materials, and advertising recognition following the tournament.
Dean’s List ($100) – Includes sponsor recognition at the tournament.
Honor Roll ($50) – Includes recognition at the tournament.

The competition was tough, and the fun was abundant.  It was a great combination for the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce’s 20 Annual Chamber Classic golf tournament on Monday, June 7.  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.

In addition, this featured the 20th year of the Chamber Classic golf tournament.  “Twenty years ago the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce began a golf tournament to support the Chamber’s efforts in fueling the economic growth and vitality of our region,” Finney commented.  “While the tournament has seen numerous changes over the years, the proceeds have continued to support the work that the Chamber does in our region.”

In the 20 years of the Chamber Classic golf tournament, more than $450,000 has been raised for the work of the Chamber.  “The success and sustainability of our event stems from the core of dedicated visionaries who began this tournament in 1991,” praised Finney.  Ed Mitchell, the original chairman of the golf tournament, attended this year’s awards reception and was recognized for his pivotal role in starting the event.

In addition, Finney recognized First Piedmont Corporation as being the one company that has sponsored a team in every tournament.  “While other companies may have sponsored teams for 18 or 19 years, this is the only company that has sponsored a team every single year,” said Finney.

Finney thanked the numerous businesses and individuals who continue to support the tournament each year.  He also presided over the awards ceremony for this year’s tournament which featured a captain’s choice format.

Capturing first place gross was the Virginia Bank & Trust team of Roger Gillispie, D.C. Hastings, R.J. Weaver, and Scott Blankenship with a score of 56.  They won after matching cards.

Second place gross winners were Tommy Rogers, Greg Haymore, Raymond Newman, and Jimmy Gillie, representing the Bojangles/Law Office of Greg T. Haymore team.  They also shot a 56.

The third place gross winner was the Sonny Merryman, Inc. team of Floyd Merryman, Andrew Shimpock, Bobby Lovelace, and Lee Lovelace who shot a 58.  They captured third after matching cards.

Fourth place gross winners were Ramsey Yeatts, Richard Meadows, Scott Yeatts, and Dale Powell with a score of 58.  They were representing the team of Aaron W. Johnson Auction & Realty.

Rounding out fifth place in gross score with a 61 was the Columbia Forest Products team of Mike Lee, Tony Marsh, Greg Pray, and Ashley Fuquay.          

Capturing first place in net score with a 55, after matching cards, was the Barkhouser Ford Lincoln Mercury team of James Barkhouser, Richard Barkhouser, Austin Harper, and Josh Seamster.

The Harris, Harvey, Neal & Co. team of Mark Foster, Vaden Wright, John Neal, and Stephen Gay took home second place net honors with a score of 55.

Third place net winners with a score of 57 were Warner Hall, Charlie Bowman, Lanny Duncan, and Robert Nichols, representing the Coca Cola Bottling/Apple Market team.

The team of First Piedmont Corp. won fourth place net with a score of 58 after matching cards.  Team members were Ken Pruitt, Steve Hair, Allan Easley, and Keith Van Asch.

Finishing in fifth place net with a score of 58 was the Century Link team of Anthony Porch, Mattie Cowan, Steve Helton, and Doug Kendrick.

R.J. Weaver of Virginia Bank & Trust was closest to the pin on hole #6, winning a gift package from Aaron W. Johnson Auction & Realty.  Greg Haymore of the Law Firm of Greg T. Haymore won a gift package from Ben David Jewelers for being closest to the pin on hole #16.

While Steve Padgett’s Danville Honda donated a new Honda 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 20th 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.

Education came out on top at the Ed Steffey Memorial Education Open golf tournament which took place in September at the Goodyear Golf Course. All proceeds from the golf tournament go into a pool of money from which educators and educational institutions in our region may request grant monies. This year, proceeds from the Ed Steffey Memorial Education Open Golf Tournament were used to fund grants ranging from $200 - $800 for educational projects and/ or programs in our region. The Chamber’s Education Committee reviewed over 25 grant proposals requesting a total of more than $92,000. The committee was able to award over $5,000 to 13 grant applicants. “While economic conditions hampered our participation in this year’s golf tournament, we continued to build on the strong foundation of this tournament to support collaborative projects that benefit our students,” commented Chamber President Laurie S. Moran, CCE.

The weather tried to put a damper on this year’s Ed Steffey Memorial Education Open golf tournament, but even the occasional showers didn’t cloud the golfers’ determination to have a great outing while raising money for education in our region.
 “Eighteen 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 17 years the Education Open golf tournament has raised more than $235,000 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.
 This year’s tournament featured 28 teams vying for top honors in the captain’s choice tournament.  Capturing first place honors was the Designed Benefits of Virginia, Inc. team with a score of 57.  Team members included Stacy Yeatts, Elvis Phelps, Rudy Yeatts and Jeff Yeatts.
 With a tie for second place with scores of 58, the Aaron Johnson Auction & Realty team won by matching cards.  Team members included Ramsey Yeatts, Butch Cassada, Ridge Gibson and Vaden Wright.  Finishing in third were Tommy Rogers, Greg Haymore, Chad Anderson and Benny Redd representing the Bojangles – Mountain Food Service team.
 Fourth place honors went to the Kevin P. Snow, DDS team with a score of 59.  Team members were Kevin Snow, Knox Milligan, Mark Shields and Ricky Lawrence.
 In honor of the tournament’s 18th year, a prize was also given to the 18th place team.  The winner was Nestle USA with team members Vickie Oakes, Gene Bowles, James Adams and Johnnie Lynskey.
 The winner of the closest-to-the pin contest on hole #2 was Rudy Yeatts who won a $50 gift certificate to the pro shop and a golf bag courtesy of USW Local 831.  Ricky Lawrence won closest-to-the-pin on hole #10, receiving a $50 gift certificate and tickets to the Michael Adcock performance.  Other closest-to-the-pin winners were Ridge Gibson, Elvin Phelps and Wayne Mitchell who each received a $50 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."

Capturing first place honors was the Designed Benefits of Virginia, Inc. team with a score of 57.  Team members included Stacy Yeatts, Elvis Phelps, Rudy Yeatts and Jeff Yeatts.