NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT BIG HIT FOR AVERY COUNTY

There are many traditions held around the Memorial Day Weekend; remembering our fallen heroes in service to their country, parades, family picnics, and the North Carolina Mountains Invitational Golf Tournament at Mountain Glen Golf Club. With a team score of 208 (8 under par), Wrenn Johnson and Stephen Scott won this year’s event.

In an exciting playoff, Johnson and Scott hit their tee shots in the fairway of the par 4 first hole, while Tom Dixon found his drive in the right rough and Parker Barnes’ tee shot took an unfortunate bounce near a tree. Both Dixon and Barnes had near impossible shots to the green and could not scramble for par. Scott hit a great shot to five feet of the cup to slam the door on the victory, and only needed Johnson’s two-putt par for the win.

Since 1982, Mountain Glen Golf Club in Newland, NC has hosted the North Carolina Mountains Invitational. The 54-hole event attracted 180 players from all over the southeast with proceeds given to Hospice of Avery County.

Joy Pittman, Office Manager of Hospice, was very appreciative of this year’s event. “We would like to thank the Tournament Committee and Avery Development Corporation for giving us this opportunity. It is one of our big fundraisers and we really appreciate everything the committee does to help make the services of Hospice and Palliative Care of Avery County possible to the people that need us.”

Sam Foster, Golf Pro at Mountain Glen, was also pleased with the Memorial Day tournament. “Everyone seemed pleased with the tournament, and thanks to the hard work of our grounds crew, led by William Costner and Charles McKinney, the course was in great shape,” said Foster.

Curtis Ward, tournament committee finance chair, indicated that the tournament would be able meet our obligations to Hospice of Avery County. “Every member of the committee has been touched by Hospice, which makes it personal and special to us,” said Ward.

The North Carolina Mountains Invitational Golf Tournament has a huge economic impact, not only for Hospice of Avery County but also for the restaurants, stores, and lodging establishments of the High Country. Golfers come to the High Country from all across the southeast. That means the Mountains Invitational not only serves Avery County Hospice, but also works as an economic engine for Avery County. The players are staying in area motels, hotels, condos, lodges and campgrounds, eating in area restaurants and shopping in local stores.

Look for updates and photos of the North Carolina Mountains Invitational Golf Tournament on Facebook.com.