John Wesley Golf Tournament this weekend

ALBANY — The 12th annual John Wesley Golf Tournament to benefit Student Ministries will be held Friday and Saturday, May 8-9, at Grand Island Country Club.

A banquet will be held Friday night with a barbecue buffet. Former Georgia sideline reporter and Executive Secretary of the Bulldog Club, Loran Smith, will be the keynote speaker. The proceeds from the tournament will go to benefit Student Ministries, an organization dedicated to mentoring and sharing Jesus Christ to middle and high school students.

Dr. J. Price Corr, the tournament director, said he is excited about the tournament’s growth in popularity and its mission.

“This is our 12th annual tournament. We’ve had one every year since 2003,” Corr said. “It started off as a challenge between two Methodist churches, Porterfield UMC and Albany First UMC, and that’s why the name John Wesley is used.”

According to Dr. Corr, the tournament spread to other Methodist churches in the area, and then expanded to all Christian churches.

“Our mission is to bring Christian golfers together for a weekend of fellowship to benefit a local youth organization.”

The organization is Student Ministries, founded by Flynn Bridges. It serves to minister and mentor the middle school and high school students of Albany.

“I’m in my 23rd year,” Bridges said. “I go and hang out with young people and build relationships, introduce them to Jesus Christ and try to get them involved in church. ”

The tournament begins Friday with the individual round starting at 2 p.m., followed by the banquet. Saturday’s festivities begin with a devotional breakfast at 6:45 a.m. followed by the church team competition at 8 a.m.

For those who want to participate in just the Friday golf and dinner, the price is $50 per person and an extra $15 for a dinner guest. For Saturday’s breakfast and golf tournament, the price is $50 and for both days, a total of $100. For more information, contact Corr at (229) 881-0628 or Sheila Urick at (229) 449-4692.