The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

September 8, 2010

Golf event to aid NIE, United Way

By Andrea Lannom Register-Herald Reporter

Beckley Newspapers and the United Way of Southern West Virginia will team up again next week for the third annual Swinging Seniors at Brier Patch Golf Course. Proceeds of this event will benefit Newspapers in Education and the United Way.

Slated for Sept. 16, the event kicks off with check in at 9 a.m. and a shotgun start at 10 a.m. The competition will be 18 holes, a two-man scramble captain’s choice and lunch will be provided by the Raleigh County Commission on Aging.

The event is aimed at golfers from 50 years and up.

Butch Freeman, director of the event, says this is the event’s first year at Brier Patch. He says it will allow for a fair playing field for competitors.

“It’s great because you get to play with buddies who are seniors as well, so it’s more of an even playing field,” Freeman said.

Carla Nelson, sales and marketing manager and NIE coordinator, said the event is not only fun but also benefits two good causes.

“This is a good thing because it provides newspapers in classes in Southern West Virginia and it also supports the United Way,” Nelson said.

NIE is a program that distributes free newspapers for teachers to use in classrooms in Raleigh, Mercer, Fayette, Nicholas, Wyoming, Summers, Greenbrier and Monroe counties.

Margaret O’Neal, executive director of the United Way of Southern West Virginia, said she is happy to partner with Beckley Newspapers once again.

“It’s a great thing and in the past has been a great success,” she said. The first year we had terrible weather but great participation. Last year, however, we had a great day and raised over $5,000 between the both of us.”

United Way is an organization which envisions a world where individuals and families can achieve their human potential through education, income, stability and healthy lives. The money raised will go into their fall campaign. The goal, O’Neal says, is $400,000.

“It’s a good boost to our fall campaign and a good partnership,” she said. “But we will take donations whether you want to play golf or not.”

Those looking to participate will pay $60 per person or $100 per two-man team. For more information on participating, contact the United Way of Southern West Virginia at 304-253-2111 or Brier Patch Golf Course at 304-253-4653.

— E-mail: alannom@register-herald.com

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