More than 150 golfers, including local competitors and current and former collegiate and professional athletes, participated in the 23rd Annual Bob Kesling Celebrity Golf Classic on Friday at Link Hills Country Club. The event raised funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County.
The team from First Horizon Advisors, consisting of Sasha Catron, Heath Pruitt, Kamryn Renner, Kylee Renner, and Todd Ricker, captured the tournament championship with a record-tying score of 51.
Envision Realty finished runner-up with a 53, while US Nitrogen/Austin Powder Company claimed first-flight honors over Greeneville Federal Bank in a scorecard playoff after both teams posted scores of 60.
Closest-to-the-pin winners were Joe Hall (#3), Jeff Harrison (#6), Teddy Clawson (#14), and David Shell (#16). Brylee Catron won the longest drive competition.
Kesling reflected on the tournament’s history and longevity, noting that the event has raised more than $1.7 million for the Boys & Girls Club since 2004.
“Scott Bullington asked me a long time ago to do it, and I felt like I had to say yes when it came to doing something for the kids,” said Kesling. “Scott wanted it to be a celebrity event, and we’ve been rounding up guys to come to Greeneville and play ever since. I’m proud of the tournament and its success.”
“It’s not just another round of golf,” Kesling added.
Among the celebrities returning this year was Dewey Warren, who recently celebrated his 81st birthday and has participated in every tournament since its inception. Other celebrity participants included Anthony Hancock, Caleb Goins, Clark Duncan, Danny Spradlin, Eddie Brown, Cedric Houston, Eric Westmoreland, Hunter Chandley, Jani Tropovnieks, Jimmy Dykes, John Warren, Mark Bissell, Mike Humiston, Mike Smith, Nick Hatfield, Nolan Bissell, Logan Tomlinson, Robby Howard, and Sam Browder.
Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith emphasized the importance of Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.
“We’ve got to make sure that all kids, boys and girls, get a solid foundation,” Smith said. “A lot of times, the Boys & Girls Club is the only place where that happens because of their family situations.”
Several of the celebrity participants also shared words of encouragement for the children served by the organization.
Mike Smith: “Be authentic and don’t try to be someone else.”
Cedric Houston: “Listen to the adults around you and understand that they care.”
Eric Westmoreland: “Continue to learn and grow while listening to your teachers and coaches. Embrace struggle, overcome it, and keep moving forward.”
Dewey Warren: “Follow your dreams, listen to your coaches, work hard, be on time, and always do the right thing.”
John Warren: “Find positive role models and develop good work habits.”
Bob Kesling: “You have a future and know that there are people who are there for you.”
Scott Bullington, director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County, expressed his appreciation to the event planners, volunteers, and sponsors who helped make this year’s tournament possible.
Greeneville Oil & Petroleum and Quick Stop Markets served as title sponsors. Additional sponsors included Cook’s Mechanical Services, Austin Powder Company/US Nitrogen, Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen, Grand True Value Rental, Greeneville Federal Bank, Johnson City Toyota, Petro Services, Pizza Inn, Summers-Taylor, and Tom and Carla Bewley.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County, call 423-787-9322, visit the organization’s website, or follow the club on Facebook.
