Golf tourney to help autism support group

By DAN KEGLEY/Staff

If you’re especially lucky, or just a darned good shot on the greens, a hole-in-one in a special tournament in September will win you a new vehicle.
The Southwest Virginia Autism Action Group will hold a charity golf tournament to raise money to bring specialists into the region to help in the fight against autism spectrum disorder.
“Each day a barbeque lunch will be served, every player will receive a gift bag and there will be many prizes for all flights as well as a new vehicle for a hole in one,” a flyer for the event said.
The tournament will be on Sept. 7 and 8 at Greenway Creek Golf Course, Glade Spring. Tee times are 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day.
Format is 36 holes, two-player teams, first day-best ball, second day-best ball or captain’s choice depending on flight. Entry fee is $125 per player, $250 per team, tax deductible.
“Everything is tax-deductible,” said organizer Bill Garrick. “Anybody who enters the tournament is tax-deductible and if you sponsor a hole with sign, it’s $250 and that’s tax-deductible.”
The tournament is sponsored in part by the Smyth County Community Foundation and the Smyth County Community Hospital, Garrick said.
Checks should be payable to the foundation, have “Autism Action Group” on the memo line, and be mailed to SMART Services, PO Box 880, Marion VA 24354. Players should also include their names and shirt sizes.
The group asks that each player bring an azalea or rhododendron to plant in a special Southwest Virginia Autism Garden. Garrick is designing and will plant the garden in a designated place at the golf course.
For more information, call 685-1828.