BY SHELTON STARK, GUEST WRITER TO THE TIMES
WINTER GARDEN – Saturday August 3rd, more than 130 golfers made their way to Stoneybrook West Golf Course in Winter Garden to vie for the championship of the 21st Annual “Founder’s Golf Tournament” hosted by the Friendship Foundation of Central Florida, a 501 C (3) Corporation and the Chi Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The two-day event topped $30,000 in revenues with proceeds going toward scholarships to deserving high school seniors in Central Florida. The festivities began Friday August 2nd with a “pairing” party at the Stoneybrook West Clubhouse. Potential golfers and guests convened to celebrate the upcoming tournament and partake in some friendly bantering. Guests were treated to an outside cigar bar hosted by DJ/Comedian Rod Z. While a different vibe was created inside the clubhouse as patrons dined on Stoneybrook West’s cuisine hosted by the man in charge of the golf course Rocky Hodge and his capable staff. “We wanted to try something a little bit different this year” said Gregory Richardson, President of the Friendship Foundation. “We brought back the “pairing” party format to honor the memory of our past President William (Bill) Asbury, and tomorrow (Saturday) we’re going to offer chair massages for the first time to the golfers provided by Tonia Powell, a local masseuse.”
Golfers from as far away as Jacksonville, Tampa and within the I-4 perimeter showcased their skills in a shotgun 4 person best-ball format. “This year the scores were off the charts,” mused Danny Vereen Foundation Golf Chairperson. “I’m sure those Mulligans came in handy.” Indeed, the scores were something to take note of. One the men’s side, the winning score of 47 (-25 under Par) was turned in by the team sponsored by attorney Carlos Leach. Second prize was awarded to Richard (Rick) Albert Jr. and his team of junior golfers who recorded a respectable score of 50 (-22 under Par). And the men’s third prize was awarded to Edsel Bester, Sadaris Cheatham, Torrence Slaughter, and Marc Shelton. Boasting a score of 66 (-6 under Par), the women’s first prize was awarded to Sisters Across America represented by Cara Washington, Cheryl Smith, Bridgette Thomas, and Shay Conner. Second prize was awarded to the women of the Pink Pearl Foundation, represented by Erika Watson Lee, LaChavious Clark, Desiree Houghton, and Pamela Joseph with a score of 75 (3 over Par). Rounding out the women’s side, third prize was awarded to the second team of Sisters Across America, represented by Glenda Edmundson, Janet Contee, Norra Morrison, and Janice Pillows. The competition continued with the Closest to the Pin prize awarded to Brian Johanneman, and on the women’s side the award went to Sharon Monroe. The prize for the Longest Drive was awarded to LaChavious Clark on the women’s side, and Rick Albert Jr. on the men’s side.
“The participation of golfers in this year’s tournament is right at or near the level we experienced before Covid-19 hit us in 2020” said Roderick Taylor, Friendship Foundation Vice President. “But getting and maintaining sponsorships is the key driver that we continue to work towards.” As in previous years the tournament sponsors were prominently displayed in the clubhouse, and Foundation President Gregory Richardson and Golf Chairperson Danny Vereen took the time to thank the top sponsors during their closing remarks. As Vereen aptly put it, “McCoy Federal continues to step up each and every year we have reached out to them. The same goes for Sheriff John Mina. Attorney Carlos Leach thank you for your support, and to Anthony Robinson, thank you for always taking my calls when we come to you for support. Last, but not least, we want to thank the golfers here today for making this year’s tournament a memorable event, one that we will continue to build and improve upon next year, God willing.”
