By Karen Kleuver, Contributing Writer
Hayesville – More than $30,000 was raised by Hinton Rural Life Center’s “Swing for Hinton, Swing for Hope” charity golf tournament weekend, which included a dinner and silent auction Aug. 18 and a golf tournament Aug. 19.
This is the third year for the tournament, which is held at Mountain Harbour Golf Course. A total of 60 players participated along with 27 sponsors, raising almost $13,000.
“Playing golf anywhere in the mountains is always fun, and it can be even more fun when you’re playing golf with your fellow community members for a great cause,” first-place team member Justin Flanagan said.
For Hinton community connections coordinator Jeremy Jenkins, who started his position in June, directing the golf tournament was a new and challenging, but rewarding experience.
“I really enjoyed working with so many members of the community, from Hinton board members to the local chambers and also the amazing staff at Mountain Harbour Golf Club,” Jenkins said.
“I am extremely appreciative for the guidance I received from residents and Hinton volunteers Bob Rogers and Bill Meldram. Jorge Azor, president of the Mountain Harbour Property Owners Association, was extremely helpful and supportive. Chef Luis and Beth from Mountain Harbour Grill really upped the tournament experience by providing a great lunch when players finished play.
“My favorite part of the day was being able to ride the course and get some valuable face time with all of the golfers,” Jenkins added. “There was such a positive energy the morning of the tournament.
The next tournament for Hinton at Mountain Harbour Golf Course will be held Saturday, Aug. 24. 2024.
A dinner featuring the culinary skills of Hinton chef Bobby Castaneda and a silent auction was added this year and hosted at Hinton Center. Two items – sculptural art pieces by glass blower David Goldhagen and woodworker Joe Waldroup – were live-auctioned during the dinner by auctioneer and Hinton summer missions staffer Tim Ryan.
More than $18,000 was raised by the dinner and silent auction.
“For our first dinner and auction, it was extremely successful,” said Bill Meldram, a member of Hinton’s board of directors and coordinator of the dinner and auction. “Not only was it successful for securing monies for Hinton, but also educating 100 people about what Hinton does in the community and making more friends for Hinton.”
Like the dinner and silent auction – in addition to raising funds for the home repair, firewood and Christmas Care ministries Hinton offers to area residents – the tournament also helped Hinton raise awareness of the nonprofit’s presence in the region; networking and educational programs such as the Council for Collaborative Impact and Leadership Chatuge Community Builders; and its campus offerings of Sanctuary Trails & Gardens, meeting and event services, and indoor and outdoor worship spaces, such as Dysart Chapel.
“At the end of the day,” Flanagan said, “we played golf, but we contributed to a great cause – a cause that I personally needed two months ago, when my mom passed away. Our family was able to use the chapel at Hinton for her celebration of life service.
“You may not see evidence of what Hinton does everywhere, but they’re just up the road and happy to help. I can’t thank the Hinton Center and their staff enough.
“We’ll be back again next year to support the tournament.”