In its third year, the Bill Williamson Memorial Golf Tournament raised $50,000 for patients and their families battling with cancer.
Avalon Golf & Country Club hosted the Father’s Day weekend event. The tournament memorializes a Knoxville man who died of prostate cancer in Father’s Day, 2013, and loved to play golf. The family partnered with Provision CARES to hold the event.
Held Friday, June 16, proceeds benefited Provision CARES Foundation, which serves more than 1,600 families battling cancer per year in East Tennessee.
Approximately 220 golfers played in tournament’s morning and afternoon rounds. The fundraiser was the largest golf tournament in Avalon’s history.
Playing with a champ
First, second and third place finishers won prizes in two morning and two afternoon flights. Last place teams received free rounds of golf at Avalon with golf lessons.
Chloe Garner, assistant golf coach at East Tennessee State University and the current women’s long drive champion, participated on hole #18. Golfers could pay to use Chloe’s drive from the red tee. They also competed to outdrive her.
“Let’s just say that all of the golfers ate some ‘humble pie,'” said Les Fout, Provision CARES director. “Her longest recorded drive in a competition is 370 yards, and she hit several shots that seemed to get close to that. She’s only 5-foot-6 but very strong.”
The tournament was presented by Peoples Home Equity. Other major sponsors included NewsTalk, the SportsAnimal, WVLT, Tennessee Cancer Specialists, Provision Proton Therapy Center, Merit Construction, Shoffner, BESCO, Trinity Benefit Advisors and Knoxville ENT & Allergy.
Golfing for a cause
“We are blessed to be able to partner with the Williamson family to honor Bill’s legacy. Our sole purpose is to support families throughout East Tennessee who have loved ones dealing with cancer,” said Fout. “Funds from this event are also used to provide early detection services for men and women who need either prostate or breast screenings.”
Provision CARES Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Its initiatives embrace the following:
• Education and Wellness: Educational forums and innovative wellness programs that promote healing, healthy lifestyles, disease prevention and awareness
• Research: Research that continues the advancement of clinical care and innovative healthcare solutions
• Patient Assistance: Assistance for patients and family members to help alleviate the financial burden of medical expenses for those in need
To learn how you can help this great organization, go to www.provisioncares.org.