By Kay Harris
VALDOSTA — For nearly 30 years, every July, the American Cancer Society has held its annual golf tournament to raise money for the organization.
The tournament returns this year under the auspices of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners, rather than the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, to remain under the guidance of Ashley Paulk, a driving force behind the fund-raiser every year.
According to Paulk, even though the economy has been down for a couple of years, the tournament is doing well and, each year, between $30,000 and $40,000 is collected for the cause.
The tournament is held over three days, July 8, 9 and 10, at the Stone Creek golf club and teams are being signed up now.
Paulk said that when the tournament first started, it was only one day, but due to the number of people who want to play, it’s been expanded to three days for several years now in order to get all the teams in.
“Just about everybody has been touched in one way or another by cancer, whether it’s through their family or someone they know,” he said. “Raising money for the cancer society is something everybody is willing to help with. Every year, all of our manpower is volunteers, and all the food is donated, plus Dr. Tillman donates the golf course for three days, so we are able to give all of our proceeds to the cancer society.”
Fifty to 60 teams with more than 200 players are expected to participate over the course of the three-day golf tournament, with each day ending in a cookout and time for relaxing with the other golfers.
The shotgun start event begins at 1 p.m. each day of the tournament, and teams are still welcome to register for the event.
For more information or to register, contact Ashley or Lisa at Valdosta Electric at (229) 242-2206.
