The 27th annual Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament wrapped up with a short tribute to a past member who’d passed away earlier in the week.
As the awards ceremony began, Chamber President Jimerson Adkins invited Raymond David Sr., a board member and past president, to say a few words about Joe Mc-Gee.
“Joe had always been instrumental in supporting the city of Pilot Point and the Chamber, so we thought it very appropriate since he’d just passed before the tournament,” David said. “We give him a recognition of what he’d done for the Chamber and let his family know what the Chamber felt about him.”
David later returned to the spotlight when he and his PointBank team that also included Jeremy David, Frankie Sanford and Carlos Bradley took the first-place prize.
They were trailed by the South State Bank team in second and one of the Trim Line teams in third.
“We’ve always supported the Chamber,” David said. “We think it’s very beneficial for the economic growth of Pilot Point. The golf tournament has always been a big part of its income for its operating budget, so that’s the reason we’ve always participated in it.”
This tournament also sported a first for the Chamber with a group of high schoolers competing.
Sponsored by Big D Lumber, Adisyn and Karsyn Johnson joined their friends Emerson Hite and Emerson Moore on the course.
“That team was the youngest team to ever play in the Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament in its long 27-year storied history and yeah, it was an excellent opportunity for these kids to connect with the business world,” Adkins said. “They’re about to connect with that world and it gets their feet wet in a fun way.”
Moore, a Tioga ISD student, won the award for longest drive and its $200 prize. “It was a great opportunity for the local businesses to connect with others in the community while providing some awesome networking opportunities for everyone throughout the day,” Adkins said. “All the players seemed to have a great time, and we could not have asked for better weather.”
Chamber Executive Director Evon Lusk praised the many volunteers and sponsors who helped make the event possible.
“It’s a whole lot of volunteering and collaboration between members,” Lusk said. “Everyone is very happy to work with each other. One of the most exciting ones I had this year was [Pilot Point Police] Chief Mathews. She was out there helping hydrate and just volunteering. She’s one of those people who continues to show up.”
All told, the event raised $30,500 for the Chamber, which Lusk said is a major part of its operating budget each year.
She explained the money raised at the tournament funds the drink walks on the Square, the pancake and waffle event, the Tic-Tac-Toe Leap, Mom and Pop Shop Hop, scholarships and others.
“The goodie baskets we purchase, not all of that is donated by members,” Lusk said. “A lot of that is purchased by the Chamber.”
The event featured 96 participants on teams of up to four. Lusk said there would have been more, though several couldn’t make the date and just chose to sponsor the event instead.
“I don’t want to give what I’m thinking for next year away yet because I have to get it to the board, but there are some new ideas spurring,” Lusk said. “Our board members are talking, and we’re excited about next year. We’re going to make it bigger and better. We’re excited about the outcome, and we’re looking forward to next year.”
