Erskine Open golfers raise funds for Fleet Hall of Fame
Erskine President Dr. David Norman and Jason Allen, Erskine’s golf coach, welcomed Erskine College and Seminary alumni, friends, faculty and staff to the 37th Annual Erskine Open golf tournament Saturday, May 21.
About 60 participants played in the tournament at Hunter’s Creek Golf and Country Club in Greenwood. The event is a fund-raiser to defray costs of the Erskine Athletic Hall of Fame banquet, set for every other year at Homecoming.
“Beautiful weather and the great conditions at Hunter’s Creek made for a great day of golf,” Director of Alumni Affairs Buddy Ferguson said.
“We had changed the date from late June in hopes of better weather and we were blessed with a truly outstanding day.”
Flying Fleet Hall of Fame member Bob Thompson ’71 was joined by Skip Goley ’71, also a Hall of Fame member, Jim Bradford ’71 and Hank Walters to capture low score honors with a 56. Besides winning the Vardon Trophy 2011 (donated by Men’s Tennis Coach Vardon Cox ’64), the team received $100 gift certificates to the Hunter’s Creek Golf Shop and boxes of Erskine Open balls.
Second place in the tournament went to the Oates family team with a score of 59. The team was made up of brothers Dusty Oates ’77, Richard Oates ’80 and Sam Oates ’82, along with Richard’s son Campbell. They received boxes of Erskine Open balls and $50 gift certificates supplied by the Erskine business office.
The putting contest was won by Larry Nycum ’84, who received a gift pack supplied by the Erskine College bookstore.
Patrick Wilson ’11 won the longest drive competition and received a $50 gift certificate. Ben Ingram ’95 won the closest to pin contest. He was given an Erskine College Golf gift pack supplied by Coach Jason Allen.
Other door prizes were offered, donated by Palmetto Insurance, Awards and Sports, L. Tracy Carter Jr. ’69, Due West Supply, and the Erskine College Student Services office.
“Hunter’s Creek again served as a great host for this tournament, and we are grateful for all they do, not only for the Erskine Open, but for our golf teams,” Ferguson said.
