Charity golf tournament on Friday to benefit wounded veterans

ALBANY — A golf tournament on Friday is being held to raise funds for a cause meant to bring a sense of normalcy to wounded veterans.

River Pointe Golf Club will host a charity tournament for the Wounded Veterans of Southwest Georgia, from which officials say they hope to raise at least $5,000 to fund hunting excursions for wounded veterans.

The marketing firm Chatterbox is among supporters sponsoring the event. The company’s founder, Amy Rolfe, said Advanced Environmental Technologies has partnered with the veterans organization to raise funding and draw attention to the mission of providing a level of coping for those with physical, mental and emotional scars obtained while protecting their country.

One regional event is a hunt at multiple plantations in and around the Albany area during the second weekend of December.

“They (veterans) go back into their community, and they are isolated,” Rolfe said. “They go back into their hometown, and they are alone.

“This gives veterans something to look forward to. It is an amazing experience.”

Lunch for participants will be served at 11:30 a.m., with a tee-off at 12:30 p.m. Course competitions such as Longest Drive, Closest to Pin and a putting contest will be part of the day’s activities. A raffle for two rifles and a 19th Hole drink special are also part of the day’s activities.

Rolfe said the effort stands to benefit veterans, as well as the community as a whole. The plantations are resources that are somewhat unique to Southwest Georgia, and more awareness and funding means increased ability to provide veterans an outlet.

“The more money it generates, the more money goes to the veterans,” she said. “We want to continue to make it bigger and bigger.

“There are lots of reasons for people to come out. The more people who decide to sign up and (support the event), the better off the event is.”

All proceeds will benefit the Wounded Veterans’ Outdoor Network of Southwest Georgia. The organization also plans to host another event, the annual Bars, Stars & Guitars Benefit Concert, in conjunction with the December hunt.

The concert event will be held at the Exchange Club Fairgrounds, and tickets will go on sale next month.

Four sponsorship levels are available for the tournament, ranging from $100-350. Fees are $75 per person and $300 per team. The fee will include entry, lunch, cart and a goody bag.

The golf club is located at 801 River Pointe Drive. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/wvonofswga or www.woundedveteransoutdoornetwork.org.