Celebrations, Sports

Local golfers compete in Beaufort Charities Invitational


Oldest Charity Golf Tournament in South Carolina

The 2021 Beaufort Charities Invitational was held at the Fripp Island Ocean point Golf Course May 13-15. The annual Spring tournament is the premiere charity golf event in South Carolina and is played on the weekend following Mother’s Day at Fripp Island, South Carolina. Celebrating its 45th year, The Beaufort Charities Invitational is the oldest golf tournament of its kind in South Carolina and the 2nd oldest in the nation. Since its inaugural event in 1976, they have raised over $1.5M in NET proceeds for our local need organizations with 100% of the monies staying in Northern Beaufort County. The Beaufort Charities is non-profit 501(c) 3 organization located in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Golfers set to hit approach shots on No. 1

There were 210 golfers at this year’s tournament which included teams from all over the southeast. Dr. David Sherbert from Greenville S.C. brought 5 teams from the upstate with him and Bob Gecy from Simpsonville paired up with Dave Van Volkenburg from Erie Pa.

Like the PGA Tour, our golf events longevity has afforded us the opportunity to see a multi-generation of familial participants. In 2019, there were 38 teams of fathers, sons, brothers, and relatives competing in the event.

The weekend started out with registration on Thursday afternoon followed by a putting contest in which we had over 100 participates. The grand prize was won by Ward Carson and the runner up was James Emerson.

The golf tournament kicked off at 8:00 A.M. on Friday morning and continued through Saturday afternoon. The winners of the 2021 Beaufort Charities Invitational were 1st place gross division: Bobby Gecy and Benji Gecy. 1st place net division were Mitchell Chapmen and Chris Edenfield. The individual gross division was a tie with Patrick Mitchell and Benji Gecy. Everyone involved with the Beaufort Charities Invitational would like to thank Char Cormier, director of golf Fripp Island, and his entire staff for all their hard work making sure the tournament ran smoothly.

Benji Hill, chairman of the tournament added these closing comments,” I am proud that we continue to host the longest running charity golf tournament in the state of South Carolina. We continue to grow and are always looking for ways to improve the event. If not for the committee members and volunteers this event would not be possible. Kevin Lashley, head superintendent of the Ocean Point Golf Course, had the golf course in the best shape that I have ever seen it. For this we are incredibly grateful.”■

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