Metro Albany golf tournament to benefit Toys for Tots set for Dec. 5

ALBANY — A golf tournament set to take place at River Pointe Golf Club will benefit the Toys for Tots campaign in Southwest Georgia for the 12th year.

The tournament, which has been ongoing since 2005, is set for Dec. 5 beginning at 9 a.m. at the club at 801 River Pointe Drive. Registration and breakfast will be followed by a shotgun start at 11:30 a.m.

It is being formatted as a best-ball scramble with teams of three.

“It is to raise money and toys for Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army,” said Harold Boling, co-chair for the event’s planning committee. “It is always full of players, always well supported by sponsors.”

The Toys for Tots campaign, coordinated by the Marine Corps Reserve, is conducted through a partnership with the Salvation Army, which handles the registration process for families eligible to receive toys.

The event is limited to 108 golfers. It will also include a buffet, hors d’ oeuvres, raffles and door prizes. Prizes will be given to the first four finishers.

In addition to the $85 registration fee, which includes two mulligans and range balls, players are expected to bring a new unwrapped toy with a value of $15. The goal is to raise $20,000, in addition to donated toys.

“Toys for Tots is such a special program,” Boling said. “Last year, there were 3,600 kids that got a toy that would not have gotten toys at Christmas. That is heartbreaking.

“It’s just important to help make this possible.”

Gunnery Sgt. Jimmie Smith, the Toys for Tots coordinator for several Southwest Georgia counties, said such events help to reach the campaign’s goal while also getting Marines out and building partnerships.

“This tournament benefits us because (it would) otherwise be hard to raise the toys we need,” he said.

The partnerships, and educating more people about the Toys for Tots mission, are vital to the campaign’s success, Smith said.

“The better relationship we have with (the community), it helps rapport and makes things easier for everybody,” the gunnery sergeant said.

The goal is to reach out to 6,000 children, giving each six toys. A new staff is with the campaign this year, and the effort is moving at a good pace toward the day that the toys collected at community venues will be distributed to Southwest Georgia families, the coordinator said.

“(Toys for Tots) means a lot to me,” Smith said. “Last year, lots of people came in on distribution day that I know would not have gotten toys without Toys for Tots.

“Every child needs to have something for Christmas.”

Boling said a golf cart from Potter Motor will be a hole-in-one prize for Hole 15 and a car from Sunbelt Ford will be a hole-in-one prize on Hole 5. A $1 million shoot-out will also be conducted, courtesy of John Ross Jewelers.

Community support has grown, something that has been augmented through sponsorships.

“The business community has been very supportive,” Boling said. “There has been no arm twisting.”

Players also are likely to see dozens of American flags set up along the course, with musical entertainment from the Salvation Army band.

“It will be quite a festive event,” Boling said.

Checks should be paid payable to “River Pointe Men’s Golf Association” and “Toys For Tots/Salvation Army.” Paid entries received before Nov. 28 will be entered into a drawing for a $200 gift card to the Albany Mall.

Just before the tournament, a push for the Toys for Toys campaign is set for Dec. 3 through a car show from the C3 Car Club that will conclude at the Toys R’ Us on Dawson Road. A “Stuff the Studio” at WFXL-TV will also take place.

Entry forms are available at salvationarmyalbany.org. For information, call (229) 883-4885.