LGA-WASWA Golf Tournament Filling Fast

Slots are filling fast for the annual St. Joseph's Bay County Club Ladies Golf Association (LGA) Autumn Action Scramble golf tournament in Port St. Joe.

Teams from as far away as Tennessee have already signed up for the Oct. 11 day-long event, sponsored jointly for the second year by the LGA and Women Athletes Supporting Women Athletes (WASWA).

The scramble, held at the country club, is a one-day tournament for all men, women and junior golfers ages 14 and older.

This year WASWA is inviting country clubs, golf clubs and high school golf teams within a roughly 150-mile radius of Port St. Joe.

"We particularly want high school golfers to join us," said Zebe Schmitt, a WASWA member. "We hope communities will step up and sponsor their high school golf teams to come and participate in this tournament."

The scramble is again being promoted as a family event, offering both play time and relaxation time for all family members.

Last year's scramble was designed to allow teens and parents to either play together on the golf course, or some family members to golf while others played at the beach. The concept was completely successful.

"It was truly a family affair," said Patricia Hardman, chair of both last year's and this year's events. "Teenagers played golf with their parents, husbands and wives played together, men and women played on mixed teams. And we had players come from Atlanta, Tallahassee, Franklin and Gulf Counties."

Discounts on weekend rentals during the scramble are available again this year from two local businesses - Cape 2 Bay Vacations and Old Saltworks Cabins.

As last year, a portion of the proceeds from the tournament will go to support WASWA and the Dyslexia Research Institute's High School/High Tech program at Port St. Joe High School.

The Dyslexia Research program introduces students with disabilities at the high school to careers in and career paths through technology

The portion of money donated to WASWA last year enabled the organization to further its work in assisting the young women athletes of the county in gaining community support, in accessing internship information, and in scholarship assistance

Last year's tournament fielded 68 players on 17 teams, "one of the largest and most successful tournaments held at the club last year," Hardman said. "We had over 100 door prizes to give away, with phenomenal support from our community."

This year, despite severe economic times, local businesses are still donating significantly. Besides the door prizes already received, Captain Clint Moore donated a half-day fishing trip (a $400 value) as the raffle prize.

Raffle tickets for the fishing trip are $5 each, or five for $20. Tickets are available from any WASWA member, any LGA member, or any young women athletes at Port St. Joe High school.

For more information on the 2008 Autumn Action Scramble, contact Geri McCarthy at 850-647-3438. The scramble is sponsored in part by Gulf County Tourism Development Council/ Discover Florida.

SIDEBAR:

LGA Autumn Action Scramble in Port St. Joe

The scramble is Saturday, Oct. 11 at St. Joseph's Bay Country Club, 700 Country Club Lane, off CR30A just south of Port St. Joe.

Shotgun start is 1 p.m. ET, with a rain date of Oct. 18.

Mixed teams entry fee is $65 per player, or $60 per player if received prior to Sept. 15. Deadline to enter is Oct. 5. Teams are four-person teams, A-B-C-D format.

Entry fees include cart and greens fees, and dinner for the players.

 There will be a practice round the Friday before (Oct. 10), cost $25.68, which includes cart, greens fees and taxes.

For information or registration forms, call Geri McCarthy at 850-647-3438.

Discounts on weekend rentals during the scramble are available from cape2bayvacations.com and oldsaltworks.com.