Steve Maness hits an iron off the Windermere fairway. Photo by Mike Maddock One sure fire way to beat the Monday blues is to spend the afternoon at the golf course. That's exactly what members of the Rotary Club of Columbia did at their annual golf tournament Monday, March 27 at the Windermere Club near Blythewood.

Members were divided into teams of four for a captain's choice type tournament. The format allowed golfers of all skill levels to compete. Some were scratch golfers while others could hardly tell a wedge from a water hazard. The idea was to take a break from the hectic business world and spend a day with friends in the sun on the links.

The idea was also to raise money for the Rotary Club of Columbia. The club's mission is service and the annual golf tournament is the club's primary fund raiser. Proceeds from the tournament go to the Rotary foundation, scholarship programs, and community service.

Pat Sullivan, Rotary Club of Columbia Golf tournament chairperson said, "We had great weather and the Windermere course was in great shape. The neatest thing was how everybody came together to support the event. We had 117 golfers and a lot of volunteer participation."

Pat Sullivan, Rotary golf committee chairperson (l) and Debbie McDonald, Rotary administrative secretary, work at the tournament registration table. Photo courtesy of Bob Ford This year Rotarians and event sponsors raised and donated between $32,000 and $34,000. Sullivan is quick to point out the tournament would not be possible without the help of those generous sponsors. This year's list included BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Thomas & Howard, Bellsouth, Carolina First Bank, Mashburn Construction, The Pollock Company, Wachovia and others.

Rotary members had the chance to win a couple of cars donated by McDaniels Acura and Honda Cars of Columbia. All they had to do was get a hole-in-one at one of the 185 yard par threes. There were a few close calls, but no one left Windermere in a new car.

The team of Holt Chatwood, Todd Haney, Darren Foy, and Mark Sullivan (Pat's son) came in first place with the lowest gross score. Pat Sullivan and his teammates Tom Gammon, Carl Byars, and Dick Wells finished second. Howey Beasley and Bobby Kapp had the longest drives of the day on holes 10 and 18. Bob Millhouse and Bill Taylor won the closest to the pin contest and Kirk Johnston got the longest putt award.

Brent Mackie, Vice President Commercial Lending for BB & T, hits a 20' putt while Michael Lundberg (sitting) of ThyssenKrupp Elevator and Steve Maness, CEO of American Red Cross Blood Services, look on. All are members of the Columbia Rotary Club. Photo by Mike Maddock