Steps to HOPE held its 7th Annual Golf Tournament at Red Fox Country Club on November 5. Despite a very chilly early morning start, the weather and for several, even the golf cooperated as 104 golfers turned out to play in this successful tournament, celebrated as the charity event of the season.

As with last year, Dave Edwards Toyota offered a new Toyota Camry as a hole-in-one prize on Red Fox Hole #10. While no one was fortunate enough to shoot a hole-in-one this year, a couple of golfers came very close and indicated a determination to keep coming back until they drive a new Camry home after the tournament.

Golfers say they were excited by cash prizes awarded to the Low Gross tournament winners this year, and by various chances to win prizes during play. New to the tournament this year was the First Annual Great American Ball Drop a chance for your ball land in the hole after being dropped over the 10th green. Numbered golf balls were purchased in hopes of winning half the entire pot, or $100 for the ball landing closest to the hole.

Lee Sutphins ball was teetering on the edge of the hole but sadly did not drop in; Sutphin donated his $100 prize money to Steps to HOPE. Also new this year, a Steeplechase hillside parking pass was awarded to Randy Mitchell for registering the first tournament team.

Dave Hunt, Bill Sorochak, Bill Squadroni and Jerald DeLaGarza were overall winners of the Steps to HOPE Golf Tournament this year. Brian Jones, Tim McCarty, Ethan Wallman and Tim Jackson put together the Low Gross winning team, and B Flight team winners were Randy Mitchell, Jay Growbosky, Stewart Bonner, and Jay Stacey.

Golfers who won the Longest Drive challenges were Jackie Brouse and Andrew Pack, while Helen Ellis and Rick Rondell were winners of the Closest to the Pin contest. Brian Jones ball settled closest to the line on #18 to win that competition. Trophies and prizes were awarded to all winning golfers.

Tryon Federal Bank, Dave Hunt of Columbus McDonalds, Carolina First and LaurelHurst/LaurelWoods were this years tournament sponsors.