An annual event that didn’t seem like it could get any bigger or better did just that last Thursday.
The St. Andrew’s Parks & Playground Scholarship Golf Tournament presented by West Of brought a record-breaking group of players out to Shadowmoss Plantation for the agency’s annual fundraiser, which benefits the St. Andrew’s Parks Scholarship Fund.
All proceeds from the event are used to assist families to send their children to summer camps, play youth sports or participate in other programs and services offered by the organization.
As golfers checked in prior to the tournament, Mark Spinn, St. Andrew’s Parks Director of Marketing & Public Relations and the event’s chairman, commented on what was in store.       “The support we get from the players and sponsors is an amazing and wonderful thing,” said Spinn. “We’ve got fantastic prizes, great food, plenty of beverages, and the golf course is in terrific shape … it’s going to be a great day.”
A total of 156 players turned out for this year’s tournament, eclipsing last year’s previous record of 148. Although the packed course made for a relatively long day, the participants didn’t mind.
“I’ve played in this tournament the last six years, and I’ll come back every year because it’s such a first class event,” Kris Kincaid of James Island said. “They could charge way more than they charge ($70) because you get so much.”
The popularity of the Scholarship Golf Tournament led to its’ fastest sellout ever, according to Spinn, who said the field was fully booked more than three weeks in advance.
“We actually added three team spots to go beyond the normal maximum of 36,” said Spinn. “J.P. Ringer and Chris Short from Shadowmoss went above and beyond the call of duty finding us enough carts to accommodate so many players … I just wish we could have gotten everybody who wanted to play in, but that just wasn’t possible. It’s a nice problem to have.”
After the heavy rains over the weekend of March 23-24, there was concern the course would still be saturated and muddy, but conditions were excellent and the weather cooperated with sunshine and light winds. After the players started the day with pre-tournament lunch provided by Moe’s Southwest Grill, out on the course they were treated to complimentary beer and soft drinks compliments of beverage sponsors Triangle Char and Bar, Coastal Burglar Alarm, Coca-Cola, and Appalachian Springs Water.
Snacks on the course were provided by Lenny’s Sub Shop, The Crab Shacks, Roly Poly and Paisano’s Pizza Grill. And, there was more food to come after the tournament with the the annual dinner provided by Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ.
Short, the Head Professional at Shadowmoss Plantation, looks forward to the St. Andrew’s Parks Scholarship Tournament every year.
“Mark (Spinn) just does an incredible job putting this together with his committee,” Short said. “It’s our biggest and best event every year … it’s the most organized, the most popular, and every year when he tells me what they’re going to offer, I’m just like ‘wow.’
“It gets bigger and better every time. I wish Mark ran every tournament we put on, because the way St. Andrew’s does things really makes our job as the host facility really easy.”
For Spinn and St. Andrew’s Parks, it’s all about raising money for the agency’s scholarship fund.
“To be able to raise enough money where we can fulfill at least in part every eligible scholarship request we receive is obviously a tremendous thing,” Spinn said. “We’ve been able to do that the last couple of years, and with this year’s turnout, we’re going to be help a lot of families again.”
Final numbers weren’t available at press time, but Spinn expected the Scholarship Fund to net about $10,000 after expenses, exceeding lasts year’s proceeds.
“I’m a giant stress cadet the week of the tournament, worrying about all the little details,” said Spinn. “This year, I got a little smarter and let our awesome committee handle the day of event stuff so I could actually enjoy my day out there hacking it around Shadowmoss … and I did.”
The Triangle Char and Bar team of Michael Lotz, David Draper, Steve Agazzi and David Foster won the Captain’s Choice tournament with a score of 54. Billy Gooding, Bill Linthecum, Bill Belida and Dave Wilson combined to shoot a 56 and finish second. The third place team was T.J. Burris won both the Long Drive and Closest to the Pin contests.

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