33rd Annual Dino Senesi Golf Classic a success for the community

Published 2:09 pm Thursday, May 18, 2023

Presented by Citizens Bank, the 33rd Annual Dino Senesi Memorial Golf Classic teed off Friday, May 12, at the Elizabethton Golf Course. The tournament raised over $17,000 to benefit more than 500 Boys & Girls Club members of Elizabethton/Carter County.

Twenty-two teams of golfers were welcomed onto the course by Carter County’s Youth of the Year, and club kid Gracie Yoder. Gracie thanked the golfers and said, “when you play golf today- remember you are supporting kids like me.”

“It’s a good experience for the kids to meet successful community leaders who are investing in their future, but it’s also a great reminder of why we’re here,” explained Charlene Ray, Director of Resource and Development for the Club. As golfers walked around, photos of club members on cart signs and registration tables served as visual reminders of the impact golfers were making on youth’s lives in Carter County.

During the academic year, the club charges $12 per week and includes quality programming, homework help, a snack, and a hot meal. Shelly Parham, Chief Executive Officer of the Club, said, “We intentionally keep our fees low so that all children can have a quality out-of-school experience. The people who participated in the tournament this year are ensuring every child has the after-school care they need.” “We have been fortunate to continually grow our daily attendance. We are serving more kids, providing more meals, and implementing more quality programs to help children, teens, and families in our county. With that growth comes an increased need for generating revenue to meet the need, which is why the Golf Classic is so critical for our work and to this community.”

Golfers went on to enjoy lunch courtesy of Chick-Fil-A and drinks courtesy of Food City, Ingles, and Walmart prior to teeing off at 1:00 pm. Golfers received a commemorative Nike polo and a goody bag with swag from Centriworks, Snap-on, and TN Office Supply. Prizes for first place were awarded to Jason Holly, and the T.A. Dugger Jr. High School team playing for Jeff Jones. Mike White took home closest to the pin and Corey Richardson qualified to win the $100,000 Hole-In-One prize sponsored by Ricky Walters of Horace Mann.

For more information on ways, you can support the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County visit our website: www.bgcecc.org or contact Charlene Ray, Director of Resource and Development, at (423) 543-2946.

The Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County enables all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens by providing a quality out-of-school experience and promoting healthy lifestyles, academic success, and good character and citizenship. We equip every child who walks through our doors to reach their own great future, turning no one away based on their inability to pay. In doing so, we are making a long-lasting impact on the community and are changing the opportunity equation for everyone in it.