Annual traditions typically bring family and friend closer together each year. This year’s Sampson Classic Golf Tournament, created and hosted by the Sampson Community College Foundation does that but so much more. The 16^th annual event invites golfers to tee off to raise funds that will help students at the college reach their goals and achieve their dreams.

SCC President, Dr. Bill Starling says he has nothing but great memories of the event over the years. “It’s a great opportunity to have enjoy several hours within a foursome of golf, understanding that all the proceeds go toward the college’s student scholarship fund,” said Starling. “We look forward to seeing those who have participated since the inception of the tournament and, of course, new faces in the morning tee off.  Our thanks go to all those who make this possible with their gifts and to Lakewood Country Club for hosting us.”

Dubose Strapping took home first place in Flight One. Pictured are  Ray Persinger, JC Thomas, Chris Hall and Shawn Whitmore.

“The Sampson Classic, played in memory of longtime friend of the college, Bill Johnson, gives us a chance to look back at the history of the Foundation and the many supporters who have helped so many students throughout the years,” said Lisa Turlington, SCC Foundation’s Executive Director. More than one hundred businesses and individuals pitch in to sponsor, play, or volunteer all in the name of education!”

The SCC Foundation was founded more than three decades ago and was designed to generate an awareness and broad community support for the college and to seek external funds through private donors to support the college’s mission.

Dr. Paul Viser, who has served on the Foundation board and is the most recent past-president of the organization says he can’t think of a better way to honor one of the college’s most tireless supporters. ”The annual golf tournament is one of the key cogs in the reliable machinery of the SCC Foundation,” he says. “We honor and remember our late friend and devotee, Bill Johnson.  And, of course, we do what we do for the benefit of the students at the college. That’s why we exist. It’s fun to gather each fall to play golf and relax with our brothers and sisters who share our commitment to the serious mission of the Foundation.”

Major sponsors for the event were; Hogslat, Schindler, Baker Motor Company, Prestage, Smithfield Hog Production Division, The James Jones Family, Deacon Jones, McDonald’s of Clinton and Dubose Strapping.

Gold sponsor was Caison Enterprises. Silver sponsors were BB&T, Dr. Bill Starling, Clinton Truck and Tractor Company, CMS Farming, First Citizens, G.F. and Sylvia Gainey, Han-Dee Hugos, Ida Johnson, James and Norma Jones, Dr. Paul and Diane Viser, Smithfield Foods, Murphy Brown, Southern Bank and Star Communications.

Team sponsors were Lakewood Country Club and Strickland Wolfbackers. Tee sponsors were B.J. Williamson Gas, Black, Chesnutt & Johnson, Cape Fear Farm Credit, Central Construction Group, Daughtry, Woodard, Lawrence and Starling Attorneys, Ezzell Trucking, F.L. Turlington Lumber Company, Group Benefits and Commercial Services, Howard and Carr PLLC, James River Trading, The Jefferson Strickland Family, Mary Brown, Mary Mack’s Inc., Neal and Jonelle Strickland, Pat and Mary Jones, Precision Tool and Stamping, Sampson Regional Medical Center, Sampson Salvage, Select Bank & Trust and Tim’s Gifts.

Bill Fulton is co-chair for the event. “We historically enjoy beautiful weather for the day of the Classic, but regardless of the conditions on the course, at the end of the day our sponsors and participants always add a little sunshine to the lives of some deserving and appreciative SCC students,” said Fulton.

Hog Slat White was first place in Flight Two. Pictured are Joey Stephenson, Anthony Baker, Terry Thornton and William Austin.

“This is just a joyful day,” says Neal Strickland, also co-chair of the annual event. “By playing and contributing, you are helping students of this county thus giving them the opportunity the further their education, something that some of these young adults may not have had the chance to do otherwise. This is definitely a great way to give back and make a difference.”

First place winner of Flight One in this year’s tournament was the Dubose Team, consisting of Chris Hall, Sean Whitmore, Ray Persinger and JC Thomas. Second Place was Butler Faircloth Real Estate Team, consisting of Sprunt Hill, Brad Jones, Ken Avent and Jay Joyner. Third Place was Star Communications Team, consisting of Jeff Nethercutt, Kyle Randleman, Dickie Walters and Craig Bell.

First place winners of Flight Three were the Deacon Jones Team. Pictured are Frankie Carter, Raeford Faircloth, Mike Warren and Mitchell Naylor.

First place winners of Flight Two in the tournament was the Hogslat White Team, consisting of Anthony Baker, Jeremy Baker, William Austin and Terry Thornton. Second Place was the James Jones Team, consisting of James Jones, Charles Gainey, Dennis Burrow and Hicks Faircloth. Third Place was the Strickland Wolfbackers, consisting of Sherill, Brandon, Clint and Bryan Strickland.

First place winners of Flight Three of the tournament were was the Deacon Jones Team, consisting of Mitchell Naylor, Frankie Carter, Mike Warren and Raeford Faircloth. Second Place was the SampsonCC Team, consisting of Dr. Bill Starling, Pat Jones, Jen Eavenson and Darryl Grady. Third Place was Smithfield Hog Production, consisting of Piotr Zubrowicz, Slawomir Jozefowicz, Sebastain Bereza and Piotr Nowakowski.

Volunteers for the tournament were Bill and Melissa Fulton, Neal and Jonelle Strickland, Tyler Honeycutt, Leslie Bautista, Whitney Williams and Dan Grubb. For more information about how you can help deserving students through the Sampson Community College Foundation, contact Lisa Turlington at lturlington@sampsoncc.edu or at 910-900-4072.