On May 3, 2021, the Greater Mauldin Chamber of Commerce will host its 30th Annual Golf Tournament at the Holly Tree Country Club. Holly Tree has served as the site for this event during the last 17 years or so. A big celebration is being planned to commemorate this 30-year milestone.
Registration will begin at 9:00 am with a shotgun start at 11:30 am. The tournament accommodates 32 teams with 4 persons per team and usually lasts about 6 hours. Generally, a company sponsors a team, but single players can also participate by being assigned to a team.
Holly Tree Country Club continues to be a big draw. They have a wonderful golf course, and this event provides the opportunity to play there even if one is not a member of the country club. Upon arrival, participants will be treated to lunch á la carte. Later that day, dinner will be served at the country club where they plan to roast a pig with all the trimmings. In addition, the prizes for this year are awesome!
Earlier this year, Pat Pomeroy, President/CEO of the Greater Mauldin Chamber of Commerce, sent out emails to the previous year’s sponsors and every single person said, “yes!” Twenty-three teams have already signed up. She says that “people want to get out and be together.”
Chamber President Pat Pomeroy
Mrs. Pomeroy states that no one could carry out such an elaborate event without generous contributors and sponsors and dedicated volunteers who show up and put in the time. Over the years, she has come to appreciate the camaraderie, generosity, and caring ways of the Greater Mauldin Chamber of Commerce members. Everything for this event is accomplished through donations to minimize costs.
One dedicated volunteer is 79-year-old Lawson Scoggins. Mrs. Pomeroy has dubbed Mr. Lawson “the person behind this golf tournament.” Although he has retired from operating his own business, Mr. Scoggins enthusiastically contributes to the Greater Mauldin Chamber in many tangible ways.
Mrs. Pomeroy says, “Lawson and his wife, Linda, have done so much for this tournament that it’s amazing!” In addition to countless hours volunteering and planning, the couple have contributed thousands of dollars for gifts and prizes to be given away at the tournament. Mr. Scoggins invests considerable time searching for high quality items at discount so that they can be used as prizes during the golf tournament.
Mr. Scoggins says that he became involved early in golf tournament’s thirty-year history. The organization needed a way to fund operating expenses and projects, but they could not simply sell candy bars. As an avid golfer himself, Mr. Scoggins saw the potential in sponsoring a golf tournament as a fund raiser and remembers having 32 teams signed up even that first year!
As time passed, this event grew into much more than a mere golf tournament. It has become so successful, that the Chamber has had requests from others to visit and to observe how they go about planning and implementing the tournament.
At the golf tournament, participants receive goodie bags and engage in special prizes, a raffle, and a silent auction. Mrs. Pomeroy says that it is a great occasion to get out and be with people. Mr. Scoggins agrees and enthusiastically describes the tournament as a fun time for everyone, just relaxing and sharing 4 to 5 hours out there on the golf course with friends. Mrs. Pomeroy adds that this event also provides critical networking opportunities for community businesses.
There are numerous ways for folks to help at the golf tournament. Mrs. Pomeroy says that anyone who wants to put together a goodie bag or contribute a door prize would be more than welcome to join in. She says that this is a good way to promote one’s business. Also, the organizers always need more volunteers. A person or a company can provide sponsorship at many levels ranging from $1250 for a beverage cart to $100 for a sign. A contribution of two hundred and fifty dollars will sponsor a hole. This hole sponsorship sparks much creativity with offerings as diverse as sandwiches and ice cream sundaes being provided.
The annual golf tournament has become the major fundraising activity for the Greater Mauldin Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds from this event finance Chamber programs, salaries, and projects aimed at promoting member businesses and the community itself.
The Greater Mauldin Chamber of Commerce works tirelessly for its member businesses. The Chamber also serves as the City of Mauldin Welcome Center, supplying an informational directory for the city and sharing promotional pieces for its member businesses. They sponsor regular lunch and learn sessions for educational purposes, a community leadership group for the exchange of ideas and leads, ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new businesses, and business expositions as needed.
The Greater Mauldin Chamber of Commerce also cares deeply about the community. Throughout the year, the Chamber works with a food drive center to serve the community. The Chamber assists with the Mauldin Christmas parade and organizes a “Breakfast with Santa” which has included not only breakfast, but also a photo opportunity, and a stuffed animal for each child attending.
COVID-19 has proven challenging for the Mauldin Chamber as it has for everyone. Over the last year, a few businesses closed. Also, a few members did not renew because they could not afford to do so. Mrs. Pomeroy was willing to work with them so that they could continue with the Chamber. Their September “Trains, Trains, and More Trains” event involving model trains has been quite popular with children, drawing crowds of some 5000 in the past. COVID-19 concerns led to its cancellation in 2020 but they hope to bring it back this year. The pandemic also caused the rescheduling of the 2020 annual golf tournament from May to August. Despite the COVID-19 issue, this golfing event proved quite successful. They even installed dividers in the golf carts to promote safety.
The Greater Mauldin Chamber of Commerce comprises a close-knit group that is almost like a big family. Lawson Scoggins insists that this starts with Pat Pomeroy who is “down to earth and tells it as it is.” During her 21 years as President/CEO, Mrs. Pomeroy has watched the Mauldin Chamber grow from 62 to 400 members. She feels that the friendliness, warmth, and helpfulness of its members readily attract new participants to the organization. She points out that she works with a wonderful Board as well. Her philosophy is to “always be kind to every person you encounter.” The city of Mauldin is fortunate to have this outstanding organization, chartered in 1982, working on behalf of its member businesses and the community.
If you would like to play in, volunteer for, or help sponsor this upcoming tournament, call the Mauldin Chamber office at 864-297-1323.
For more information about the Greater Mauldin Chamber of Commerce, check out their new website at https://www.mauldinchamber.org. ♣
