Chamber members tee off to raise funds

In an effort to raise funds, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce will hold its inaugural golf tournament Tuesday at the Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans.

The one-day event will be the first standalone fundraiser for the chamber and, according to chamber Executive Director Gordon Renshaw, it serves a twofold purpose.

"It is a fundraiser, but we're also trying to make sure that we give some unique qualities and benefits to our chamber members," Renshaw said.

Those benefits include the opportunity to play at Champions Retreat, an exclusive golf club not normally open to the public. As an added benefit, tournament sponsors were also able to secure a golf hero to participate.

Lee Elder, the first black to play in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, in 1975, will tee off in the golf tournament.

"He's a joy to be around and brings a lot of intrinsic benefits to the tournament," Renshaw said. "We're thrilled that he's able to come in."

Elder has had success since joining the professional ranks in 1967. Elder has tallied three victories on the PGA Tour and eight tournament wins on the Senior PGA Tour.

"Lee is an outstanding person and personality," Renshaw said.

According to Renshaw, a golf tournament fundraiser is not out of the ordinary.

"What we've found in common with other chambers is that they usually have one or two significant fundraising programs."

Renshaw said he expects more than 100 golfers to participate in the event.