Golfers from throughout the CSRA will tee up at the Houndslake Country Club in Aiken for the inaugural Stepping Stones Golf Tournament at 10 a.m. May 11.
The tournament's format will be nine holes of traditional captain's choice, and nine holes of four-person best ball, with awards for the top three teams.
The day's events include putting and chipping contests, with half of the money for each contest paid to the winners. In the chipping contest, golfers will chip three balls over the Stepping Stones chipping wall, and their aggregate distance from the wall will be tallied. The person with the shortest total wins. Contests during the tournament will include closest to the pin and longest-drive, with separate awards for male and female golfers.
A silent auction featuring a Tiger Woods-autographed glove (with authentication certificate) will be held during the post-tournament banquet.
The cost for the tournament is $100 per person or $400 per team, which covers greens fees, cart rental, range balls, lunch and a barbecue dinner prepared by reigning South Carolina State Barbeque champion Larry Bowling. Participating golfers can opt to buy coupons for mulligans and one forward tee. A $50 Super Ticket pays for three mulligans, a forward tee, putting and chipping contests, and 10 raffle tickets.
Stepping Stones Outreach Ministries is a college/business initiative that provides mentoring, training, support and guidance to students and young adults from low-income families in New Ellenton and surrounding South Carolina communities. Founded by Pastor Sonya Mazzell, Stepping Stones is led by a team of full-time missionaries with more than 15 years of experience working in the New Ellenton area.
Sign up for the Stepping Stones golf tournament by picking up a brochure at the Houndslake Pro Shop, online at www.SteppingStonesORM.com, or by calling Burt Carey at 803-292-1424 or burt@ CareyMediaGroup.com.
The golf tournament is a major fundraiser for the organization, which is registered as a nonprofit charity under IRS Code 501(c) 3. Donations are tax-deductible.