On Aug. 2, the Gantt Volunteer Fire Department held its first Benefit Golf Tournament at Old Pine Golf Course on Harmony Church Road. Competitors began arriving at 6:30 a.m. to register for the 8:30 a.m. tee off and were served a breakfast of sausage and jelly biscuits and drinks, generously donated by Church’s Chicken. There they could register for door prizes and the raffle for a $100 bill sponsored by the Fire Department Ladies Support Group.

Practice began in earnest on the putting green, general fellowship and good natured ribbing went on until time for tee off. Everyone lined up in the back to hear the rules announced by course owner, Rex Kilpatrick and then everyone went to their positions for the siren start. When the command was given, Mike Ziglar of the Fire Department sounded the siren and pops could be heard around the course as balls were struck for the first tee off.

Competition was hard fought and fierce on the first nine holes, then everyone turned in their score cards to be “flighted” and placed into categories. While this was being done, Rick Cartwright grilled the hamburgers and hot dogs, donated by Reba Hall and Tawanna Wright, as well the sausage dogs donated by Snowden Sausage. Complimenting the food was drinks donated by Gator Grocery and Andalusia Distributing Company.

The winners of the tournament were as follows. In A Flight: Dale and Tyler Anderson — first place; John Tomberlin and Hunter Hobson — second place; and Nick Chapman and Jordan Manyor — third place. In B Flight: Daniel Wells and Ben Brannon — first place, Chuck Holmes and John Bean — second place, Bryan Bass and Tyler Centner — third place. In C Flight the winners were: Ottis Messick and Earl Cleghorn — first place; John Andrews and Jeff Andrews — second place; and Allen Grimes and Randy Parrish — third place. The longest drive winner was Hunter Hobson, the closest to the pin winner was Ottis Messick and the $100 bill raffle winner was Frank Carpenter.

This was the first year for an event like this from Gantt VFD and the organizers hope it can only improve with age. The monies raised well exceeded the expectations of the organizers yet they realize that none of this would have been possible without the sacrificial giving of the 55 generous sponsors, the many volunteers and of course the players. Visit the Web site at www.gvfdgolf.8m.net for a complete list of sponsors and winners.