Golf Members' Council Raises Record Amount for Local Students
The Ocean Pines-Taylor Bank Golf Scramble, held in July at the Ocean Pines Golf Club, raised more than $11,000 for local scholarships.
Organizers from the Ocean Pines Golf Members’ Council, which hosts the event, said the tournament was so successful that the official tally is still ongoing.
“The bottom line is that our efforts raised over $11,100 and we are still counting,” Council Scholarship Chairman Bob Long said. “In June, we awarded $7,000 in scholarships to six local students; most of this was money that was raised in 2018. The $11,100 plus from this year’s scramble will mean we can provide significantly more money at graduation time in 2020.”
Long said the total amount was boosted in part this year because Choptank Electric provided a grant to help defray expenses associated with hosting the tournament.
“Thank yous also go to the local businesses and organizations that provided additional support: Taylor Bank has been our title sponsor for as long as anyone can remember, and they increased their contribution this year,” Long said. “The local Optimist Club has been a Platinum Sponsor for several years, and The Deeley Insurance Group sent a group of players plus a Platinum Level contribution.
“Mike’s Carpet Connection in Fenwick sponsored us for the third straight year at the Silver Level. Also contributing this year at the Silver Level was the Ocean Downs Casino. And, it was fun to dream about winning the Chevy Trax SUV that was at the 7th Tee thanks to I.G. Burton of Berlin,” he added.
Long also thanked Ocean Pines Golf members and friends who took part in the tournament and/or helped during the event.
“We may not be the biggest or the wealthiest club around, but we do more than our share to give back, and we can all take pride in these efforts,” he said. “Members and businesses purchased tee signs and provided silent auction items that helped add several thousand dollars to the scholarship fund. Each contribution, be it small or large, helps generate enthusiasm that adds to the overall success.”
Long also singled out Scotty Wheatley for his efforts related to the tournament and to fundraising.
“Scotty had a lot going on this summer that added to the challenges of running this event,” he said. “Be sure to congratulate him on his work to coordinate everything in support of our local students and younger golfers.”
The Golf Member’s Council each year presents scholarships to local high school students in May. The organization has been able to grow its fundraising efforts each year, awarding $4,000 in 2017, $5,000 in 2018 and $7,000 in 2019.
This year, scholarships were awarded to Emily Malinowski, Hayden Snelsire and Joseph Beck at Stephen Decatur High School, and Colin Miller, Matthew Durkin and Jacob Meakin at Worcester Preparatory School.
Scholarships were announced after an eight-member committee of Sally Stafford, Don McMullen, Walt Lischak, George Solyak, MaryAnn O’Malley, Olga Novy, Wheatley and Long reviewed the applications and recommended the students for awards.
For information about 2020 scholarships, contact Long at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..