Tri-County Junior Golf Association End of Year Banquet

DeWitt Weaver, former PGA player

The Tri-County Junior Golf Association (TCJGA) held its 2007 year end banquet with a guest speaker and plenty of awards for their 84 junior players. Players and their families attended the event in The Ridges Resort banquet room for a standing room only crowd of over 230 people. The banquet started with dinner for all attending and then led directly into the introduction of the guest speaker for the evening. Steve Gonyea, President of the Tri-County Junior Golf Association introduced Georgia Golf Hall of Fame member, DeWitt Weaver. Mr. Weaver, a two time PGA Tour winner and PGA Senior winner, spoke on the mental aspects of the game of golf and told some great stories of his development from college golf to the world of the PGA tour. Mr. Weaver who was a seven time Georgia PGA Champion and four time winner of the Georgia Open was named Georgia PGA Player of the year in 1980 and 1981.

Kyle Mack, Tournament Director, and Mike Stewart, Volunteer Coordinator, thanked all the marshals and the Young Harris College Golf team for all their volunteer hours over the course of the season. Tsali Bentley, Marketing Director, acknowledged the five golf courses that provided play time for the junior golfers. These courses were Cherokee Hills Golf Club (Lee McLean), Butternut Creek Golf Course (Bill Burg), Brasstown Valley Resort (Charles Burton), Chatuge Shores Golf Club (Keith Crawford), and The Ridges Resort and Club (Brett Beazley). Sponsors were recognized with plaques. The Bronze sponsors were: Gene & Donna Clopton, Jay & Stephanie Stubblefield, Joey & Ann Arencibia, and Tsali & Jacque Bentley. Silver sponsors were Carter Insurance and Investments, C. Gay McTyre Realty, Stephanie McConnell, PC, Mountain Valley Orthopedics, United Community Bank-Union County, and Jay's Medical Equipment. Tournament sponsors (Gold) were Appalachian Community Bank, Bank of Blairsville, Bank of Hiawassee, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, Cadence Bank, Cherokee Classic, The Club Shoppe, United Community Bank-Hayesville, and Young Harris College. Special recognition was given to The Clay County Youth Endowment and William & Norma Brosie.

Brett Beazley, Vice President, presented The Ridges Junior Golf Tour Champions (based on season accumulated points). The Champions were Ellie Martin (age 9 and under girls), Kyle Rhinehardt ( age 8 and under boys), Amanda Thompson (age 10-12 girls), Zach Cottrell (age 9 & 10 boys), Eli Crumley (age 11 & 12 boys), Morgan Bentley (age 13 and up girls), Corbin Carter (age 13 & 14 boys), and Andrew Batemen (age 15 - 17 boys). Kyle Rhinehardt was also recognized as the newest member of the Eagle Club, for making an eagle on hole # 10 at The Ridges Country Club.

Steve Gonyea presented the Tri-County Junior Golf Association Grand Champions. These winners held the best scoring average for four out of the seven weekly tournaments. The Grand Champions were Ellie Martin and Kenzie Jenkins (tied for age 9 and under girls), Kyle Rhinehardt ( age 8 and under boys), Amanda Thompson (age 10-12 girls), Zach Cottrell (age 9 & 10 boys), Eli Crumley (age 11 & 12 boys), Morgan Bentley (age 13 and up girls), Evan Brakefield (age 13 & 14 boys), and Andrew Batemen (age 15 - 17 boys.

Every junior player left that evening with a participation trophy, a door prize, and a fashionable TCJGA wind breaker. The Tri-County Junior Association wishes to thank all the junior players and their families for attending the banquet and helping to promote the sport of golf. Sponsorship opportunities for 2008 are available by contacting Tsali Bentley at 706-745-0001.

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