By Maggie Beamguard
Insider Editor
The fourth annual Longest Day Golf Tournament at 7 Lakes Golf Club took place on June 21, the longest day of the year. The Longest Day, a national fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association, presents the opportunity to stand up to the darkness of Alzheimer’s.
The organizers purposefully scaled the event back a little this year due to scheduling. But there are plans to “go big” next year for the fifth anniversary.
There were 80 participants from Seven Lakes, Pinehurst, Pinewild and Foxfire in the tournament, which was sponsored by 17 businesses, including two national businesses.
According to event co-chair Heather Guild, an even mix of women and men participated. Because Alzheimer’s is a disease that impacts everyone, Guild believes this particular cause attracts men and women equally.
“This disease seems to affect everybody. Everybody has a parent, a brother or sister, an aunt, or an uncle or neighbor who is impacted,” she said. “Anybody who’s been close to it realizes how desperate the situation is. You lose people in front of your very eyes even though they’re still here.”
After expenses, $9,000 was raised for research.
A morning of play culminated in a luncheon and the awarding of prizes with most teams returning their winnings to the Alzheimer’s Association.
A morning of play culminated in a luncheon and the awarding of prizes with most teams returning their winnings to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The Women’s Flight: Allison Sanders, Terry Jo Rudziensky, Christine McPartland, Heather Guild
Men’s Flight: William Nuzzo, Greg Rohrer, Austyn Vest, Jayson Vest
Mixed Flight #1: Barb Smart, William Smart, Becky Ditmer, Todd Gense
Mixed Flight #2: KJ Hopkins, Charlotte Kennedy, Craig Fowler, Tom Robinson
Closet to the Pin: Shirley Flaherty (women); Dan Thomson (men)
Closest Drive to the Line: Becky Parr (women); Todd Gense (men)
Longest Putt: Anna Bridgeman (women); Chris Clemmer (men)
“It was a great day,” said Guild. “We had perfect weather and we were very pleased with the turnout and the support and very pleased with the amount of money we were able to raise.”
Shirley Flaherty and Susan Clark also served as event co-chairs. Another 10 volunteers helped the event run smoothly.
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
