More than 116 amateur golfers competed in the Midstate NKF Golf Classic tournament at the Windermere Country Club in Blythewood to benefit the National Kidney Foundation of South Carolina, Monday, October 20. The tournament exceeded expectations, raising more than $127,700.

Jim Hudson Automotive Group was the tourney's presenting sponsor. Hammond E. Edwards III, George W. McLaughlin, Paul Mashburn, and Jesse Smith, sponsored by First Citizens Bank, comprised the winning team.

The winning team will receive an invitation to play in the National Kidney Foundation's National Finals at Pebble Beach in January 2009. This once in a lifetime opportunity is the first prize for the winning team of the National Kidney Foundation Golf Classic tournament, the premier amateur golf event for charity.

Each golfer in the First Citizens Bank team will receive a free round- trip flight certificate to anywhere in the continental United States, courtesy of HRG America, perfect for their next golf vacation or to Pebble Beach.

More than 60,000 people in Richland County have chronic kidney disease, that's one in six. Many more have it, but do not know it.

To learn more about the NKFSC, or to find out about getting involved with one of our six tournaments contact Samantha Wood at swood@-kidneysc.org or call 803-799-3870.

Proceeds from the Midstate NKF Golf Classic will be used for programs and services for the thousands of kidney patients and their families, and for education and awareness programs for those at risk for kidney disease.