Annual golf tournament raises funds for chaplaincy
The First United Methodist Church of Benton’s Men’s Prayer Breakfast group will hold its
23rd annual Saline County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Golf Tournament at 8 a.m. Friday, at Silver Springs Country Club.
“It is amazing they have continued to support the chaplaincy for 23 years,” said Chaplain Tamra Gore. “We appreciate it so much.”
The tournament will be a four-person scramble with a shotgun start. Flights will be determined by the number of entries with no more than 10 teams per flight.
First-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded per flight.
“We adopted (the chaplaincy) as a cause 25 years ago,” said Bill Mckee, one of the event organizers. “It has morphed into a pretty big
event.”
He added that it is the main funding source for the chaplaincy every year.
The cost to play is $75 each and includes cart, green fees and lunch, or $300 per team.
The lunch will be prepared by local law enforcement and chaplains.
For those who arrive early, there will be coffee and what Mckee dubbed as Gore’s “world famous cinnamon rolls.”
Gore said the funds raised will help when officers call chaplains to assist members of the community and to cover training expenses.
“We serve all the departments that need us in the county,” Gore said.
Along with the tournament, there will be a closest-to-the-pin contest and other games. There will also be drawings for items including golf balls.
Mckee said the tournament is open to men and women golfers of all ages.
“It is a privilege for us to be able to sponsor the tournament each year,” he said. “Our group is proud to support the program.”
Gore said she and the chaplaincy appreciate all the loyal sponsors and golfers who have made the event happen throughout the years.
Mckee said $100 hole sponsorships are still available. Anyone interested in a sponsorship or wanting to sign up for the tournament can call Mckee at 501-860-3373, Ed Albares at 501-317-0079 or First United Methodist Church at 501-778-3601.