CRESCENT Things: An Upstate Golf Event Raises the Awareness of Great Need in Pickens County — Keowee Tees off Fore the Good of the Community
No one likes to think about children or the elderly going hungry, or a child being abused. Unfortunately, these are everyday realities, made worse in times of economic distress. One Upstate community’s residents are trying to raise the awareness of these issues and raise funds to help area non-profit organizations combat them.
The Reserve at Lake Keowee hosted its charitable foundation’s 3rd Annual Golf Classic recently to benefit four Pickens County-based non-profit organizations: Helping Hands; Pickens County Meals on Wheels; The Parenting Place, Home of Prevent Child Abuse of Pickens County; and the A.R. Lewis Elementary School’s Weekend Backpack Program.
The event, which took place in October and drew more than 100 players this year, is estimated to raise $20,000 or more for charity. The event was held on The Reserve at Lake Keowee’s award-winning Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Players enjoyed a “step aside” scramble format, with putting contests and silent auction.
Kathryn Gravely, Executive Director of The Reserve at Lake Keowee Charitable and Community Foundation remarked, “The Reserve at Lake Keowee and our community enjoy giving back to Pickens County, both through volunteerism as well as the annual Charitable Golf Classic. The sponsorship and participatory support we receive for this endeavor is amazing. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s event a success.”
“Thank you a thousand times over to the generous sponsors, the participating teams, and all those involved in The Reserve at Lake Keowee Charitable Golf Classic. Your donation to The Parenting Place will provide home visitation services, parenting education, and support services to teen and first time mothers helping to prevent child abuse and neglect in Pickens County,” stated Gloria Morris, Executive Director of The Parenting Place, Home of Prevent Child Abuse Pickens County.
Meta Bowers, Executive Director of Pickens County Meals on Wheels, said, “Thank you to everyone involved in The Reserve at Lake Keowee Charitable Golf Tournament. Because of you, Pickens County Meals on Wheels will be able to purchase nutritious meals for the homebound elderly and disabled across Pickens County. With each meal delivered, our caring volunteers will also see that each person is safe and well in their own home. The time you have taken out of your busy schedules has made a difference in the lives of over 230 homebound individuals across Pickens County. Thank you.”
Jennifer Barbour, Executive Director of Helping Hands of Clemson, echoed those sentiments, “Thank you so much to everyone involved in The Reserve at Lake Keowee Community and Charitable Foundation. This generous donation will provide shoes and clothing to our children. Thank you again for helping us make this possible.”
The 2011 Charitable Golf Classic was presented by Keowee River Club, LLC and The Reserve at Lake Keowee Real Estate. Sponsoring the tournament were Justin Winter and Associates (Platinum Sponsor); Elliott Davis, Michelin North America, Upstate Metro Services, and Sexton Griffith Builders (Gold Sponsors); IPM, Fusion Systems, The Acker Agency, Isaqueena Prosthodonics, PA, Pickens Savings and Loan, and The Budd Group (Team Sponsors); Palmetto Dunes Resort and EG Image (Prize Sponsors); and Doug McKinney / Nationwide Insurance, James Chisman, Jeff Holder Builders, Kroeger Marine Construction, The Berry Group, Palmetto IT Services, Professional Party Rentals, Strickland Marine Center, The Acker Agency, and The Gravely Law Firm (Hole Sponsors).
A photo gallery from this year’s tournament is available on The Reserve at Lake Keowee’s website, or by clicking here.
For Part 1, click HERE. For Part 2, click HERE. For Part 3, click HERE.
UPDATE: At a dinner last Thursday evening (December 1, 2011) at The Reserve at Lake Keowee, members of the community’s Charitable Foundation presented $26,000 in funds raised over the past year to four charitable organizations serving Pickens County: Helping Hands, Pickens County Meals on Wheels, The Parenting Place, Home of Prevent Child Abuse of Pickens County, and the A.R. Lewis Elementary School’s Weekend Backpack Program. The funds were split equally among the four organizations, with each receiving a check for $6,500. These four non-profit organizations were chosen by The Reserve’s membership to share the Foundation’s annual donation. Though the organizations were informed in advance of their being chosen to receive the funds, the amount of the gift given to each was a surprise revealed at the check presentation dinner.
