Golfers and golf enthusiasts crowded the Old Toccoa Farm course Tuesday, April 16, for the Corporal Richard Gazaway Memorial Golf Tournament.
The event is sponsored annually by the Fannin County Sheriff’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #111 as a fundraiser to support the children of law enforcement officers who have lost their lives.
Richard Gazaway and his wife Heather were tragically killed in a car crash in January 2022. The couple left behind two daughters, Skylar and Riley.
Sheriff’s office Sergeant Jacob Pless and Investigator Dustin Carder coordinate the tournament.
“We had another great year. The tournament would not have been possible without Old Toccoa Farms stepping up to help make it such a great event. Wesley Buchanan and Thomas Nelson made the tournament go effortlessly, Addison Moran with OTF Tavern prepared some great food, and Peter Notari was a huge help with our silent auction items,” Pless and Carder agreed.
The title sponsor this year was Rebecca Mathis State Farm. “Enough cannot be said about Rebecca and Adam Mathis’ involvement in this tournament each year. From being the title sponsor this year to putting together the give-a-way bags, Rebecca, Adam and the State Farm Team were amazing,” the coordinators said.
Special thanks was expressed to the hole sponsors; Ace Hardware of Blue Ridge, Sisson Log Homes, Twiggs Construction, Car Crafters, Dickey McCay Insurance, Tipping Point Brewing Company, Sarah Owensby Law Office, and George Weaver Law Firm. Phoenix Roofing and Southern Buckeye came on this year as new hole sponsor.
Team sponsors recognized by Pless and Carder were Mountain Valley Bank, Sisson Dupont and Carder, G&R Construction, Blue Ridge Tire, Wilson Hamilton Real Estate Law, Doss and Associates, The Mountain House, Second Nature Landscaping, Lake Blue Ridge Marina, United Community Bank, Haight House, North GA Stone, Image Outdoors, and Gilmer Co. Sheriff’s Office. Three new team sponsors this year were Ridgeline Electric, Butternut Creek Golf, and Mitchell Construction.
“We would also like to thank Brian Higgins with Ace Hardware Custom Woodworks for the signs and banner he designed for the tournament.” Pless said.
Blue Ridge Ace Hardware, TBR Outdoors, McCaysville Drug and Gun, Owl’s Nest, Deerly Blessed, High Country Art, Blue Ridge Cotton Company, Dunworkin’, The General Ledger, Chester Brunnenmeyer’s, Harvest on Main, Black Sheep, Sweet Shoppe, Rum Cake Lady, Blue Ridge Flowers, Serenity in the Mountains, Pezrok, The Dogwood, Margo’s Polish Bistro, Folger Gas, Ballard’s of Blue Ridge, Oyster Fine Bamboo Fly Rods, and an anonymous donor provided silent auction items. “We want to give a special thank you to Emma Twiggs for going to many of these donors for the items,” Carder said.
Blue Ridge Stone Depot, Copper Basin Credit Union, Carroll’s BBQ, and Southern Financial donated money for the event. Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks donated the coffee, Ingles donated pastries, and Jamie and Faith Hensley purchased donuts. Kimble’s Commissary donated snacks for the players and volunteers. “A big thank you for every one of these contributions,” Pless said.
Mitchell Construction placed first, Second Nature Land Scaping placed second, and Butternut Creek Golf placed third. A special thanks from Pless and Carder went out to Second Nature Land Scaping, Butternut Creek Golf, and Laura Sisson for donating their prize winnings back.
“Overall, this year’s Corporal Richard Gazaway Memorial Golf Tournament was a great event that proved to be not only a good time, but to be successful in raising funds for Richard and Heather Gazaway’s daughters. We look forward to having a great event again next year on April 8,” Carder and Pless said.