39th Annual Hospice of Scotland County Golf Tournament Raises $168,683

(Hospice volunteer celebrate the announcement of the tournament's final tally)

By: Deon Cranford

LAURINBURG – The 39th Annual Hospice of Scotland County golf tournament, held at Scotch Meadows Country Club on April 8 & 9, 2025, was a resounding success, raising $168,683 and boosting the event's all-time total to just over $4.9 million. Golf Pride returned as the event’s lead sponsor and organizer, continuing a partnership that has been in place since the tournament’s inception in 1987. 

 

For nearly four decades, this golf tournament has been essential in funding patient care at Hospice of Scotland County. The proceeds benefit many patient care needs, with Morrison Manor, the organization’s inpatient facility, being significantly impacted by the tournament’s success. Despite the challenging nature of sustaining hospice houses, Morrison Manor continues to be a peaceful haven for area families, thanks in part to the organization’s fundraising efforts. 

 

The majority of the fundraising each year comes from tournament sponsorships, which are vital to the event’s success. This year, 185 sponsors donated nearly $120,000 before the tournament even took place. Almost all elements of the event are donated, including cart rental costs, event insurance, food, and prizes. Any remaining expenses were covered this year by Scotland Health Care System, allowing 100% of the funds raised to benefit patient and bereavement services provided by Hospice of Scotland County. 

 

A highlight of the annual golf tournament is its auction, which boasted over 250 live and silent auction items this year, raising just over $20,000. 

 

The tournament followed a Captain’s Choice format, with each day acting as a separate tournament. This allowed participating teams to compete only with those playing on the same day, and golfers had the option to play on both days. 

 

Awards were presented to the top third of the field for both the April 8th and April 9th tournaments, along with special awards and prizes for various in-tournament competitions. New to the tournament this year, the first-place team on each day received a round of golf at the prestigious Pinehurst No. 8 and were invited to the Golf Pride Global Innovation Center in Pinehurst for a complimentary club regripping session, thanks to Golf Pride. 

 

Golfers were treated to on-course beer and soft drinks, meals, one mulligan, access to the silent auction, and multiple in-tournament competitions made possible by Wade S. Dunbar Insurance Agency. Participants also enjoyed the Hole 15 Air Cannon ball launcher, provided by Farm Bureau – Matt Walker, and an invitation to the closing ceremony dinner. Each day began with a shotgun start at noon, with golfers being escorted to the course by Bill Caudill playing the bagpipes, a tournament mainstay. 

 

This year’s event included a special tribute to long time hospice volunteer Catherine McLaurin.  The 2025 event logo and all tournament collateral featured symbols and photos made in memory of McLaurin who passed away in October of 2024.  McLaurin’s family joined the tournament’s guests and participants for a special butterfly release in her memory. 

 

The event's closing ceremony took place on the evening of Wednesday, April 9. During the closing ceremony, the winners were announced, guests participated in the heads-tails game for a wine basket prize, and the live auction took place. The ceremony also included announcing the winner of the Emma McInnis Award for Exceptional Volunteer Service, which went to long-time hospice supporter Bill Hill. Hill was instrumental in starting the inaugural tournament in 1987 when he was the general manager for Eaton and has been involved with the tournament activities every year since. 

 

The event closed with the Lawson's Gift Raffle drawing. The McCabe family has donated jewelry to the tournament each year to be raffled off in memory of Lawson McCabe of Bob's Jewel Shop of Laurinburg. The raffle, which has been part of the event each year since 2002, has raised nearly $330,000 for Hospice of Scotland County. 

 

Tournament organizers are already looking to next year as the 2026 tournament should reach two milestones.  First, it will be the event’s 40th iteration highlighting the unlikely and exceptional four-decade partnership between Golf Pride, a global manufacturer and Hospice of Scotland County, a small, rural non-profit organization.  The event will also likely reach the $5 million mark in all-time funds raised.   

 

For more information on the annual golf tournament or other Hospice of Scotland County fundraising efforts, services, and activities please call (910) 276-7176. 

 

Tournament Winners 

Winners from Tuesday April 8 

1st Place – Matt Walker, Daniel Gane, Will Morgan, John Masotti. 

2nd Place – Eddie Huggins, CJ Hinson, Aaron Stack, Ben Stanton 

3rd Place – Derrick Howell, Eddie McLean, Sandy Robinson, Dwayne Miller 

Closest to the Pin Winners – Joel Hartwell, Eddie Huggins, Bob Aylward, Eddie Huggins, Longest Putt Winner - Hampton Hubbard 

Winners from Wednesday April 9 

1st Place – John Holder, Mark Conyers, Bennet Gardner, Mike Davis 

2nd Place – Jim Whitley, Donald Barringer, Mac McIntyre, Graig Guy 

3rd Place – Chad Collins, Zack Elliott, Alex Nianouris, Robert Hoadley 

Closest to the Pin Winners – Zack Elliott, Greg Lowery, Jayden Locklear, Craig Guy 

Longest Putt Winners – Donald Barringer, Richard Boles 

Tournament Fundraising Committee 

Bunny Hasty, Nancy Adcock, Laura Adams, Mary Jo Adams, Bill Hill, JoJo Hunt, Peggy Lewter, Kim Liles, Anna McMillan, Tommy Parker, Charlotte Pilson, Deane Pullen, Kim Sheppard, Ruby Williamson, and Matt Walker