Suggested Photo caption: Bethel-Guidry Scholarship Golf Tournament benefits graduates

             September 28th will be the date for this year’s Bethel-Guidry College Scholarship Golf Tournament held at Mountain Harbour Golf Club in Hayesville, NC. This event raises funds for deserving high school graduates from Clay County, NC and Towns County, GA to attend the university or trade school of their choice.

            The Golf Tournament is an initiative of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Hayesville. The Bethel-Guidry Foundation is named for the church’s deacon, Turner Guidry and his wife Georgia Bethel, who have worked tirelessly as teachers and mentors for the youth of our area over the last several decades.

            Approximately 10 area youth have received financial assistance for their entire college or trade school education through this event’s efforts over the past few years. Scholarships for 2019 were awarded this spring to Sylvan Schuette of Towns County and Laney Burch of Hayesville.

            To ensure the tournament’s success and guarantee that the Class of 2020’s chosen scholars are rewarded, the event is putting out the annual call for Sponsorships, Participants and Volunteers. Event Co-Chairmen Jose Arias and Sanford Freeman urge individuals, businesses, or groups of interested citizens to step forward as Golf Tournament sponsors. Sponsorship levels range from $100 to $500 with exciting benefits available at each level. Sponsors can also opt to support contests such as the Hole In One and Putting Contests or to underwrite the Refreshment Cart or Golfer Continental Breakfast.

            Arias adds, "As preparation is under way for this year’s Bethel-Guidry College Scholarship Golf Tournament, we hope to have even bigger turnout than years past.  We are in the process of getting some great gifts, sponsors, and items for our silent auction. We hope that if you are a golfer, you'll sign up and play.  Even if you’re not a golfer, help out by being a sponsor or by donating gifts for our golf gift bags or our silent auction.  All proceeds will benefit a senior from both Clay and Towns County high schools."

            Participation to play in the tournament costs $100 per person entry fee and includes a Golfer Continental Breakfast, range balls, gift bags, and a celebratory luncheon. Additional luncheon tickets are available for $30 each. A cash bar is also available. All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Bethel-Guidry Foundation. Last year’s Golf Tournament raised $12,000 for the Bethel Guidry Foundation, and its many sponsors were a large reason for the success.

            For more information or to sign up for sponsorships, golf participation or volunteering, write to: Jose_m_arias@hotmail.com or sanfordfreeman@gmail.com. Please put “Request for Registration Form” or “Sponsorship” in the email subject line. Please send registration forms, event sponsorships and checks to: Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, PO Box 677, Hayesville, NC  28904. Visit www.goodshepherdhayesville.org/bethelguidry-scholarship-golf-tournament to download this year’s tournament flyer and information about the scholarship.