Bill Johnson would be proud. The annual tradition known as the Sampson Classic Golf Tournament was held this week for its 17th consecutive year. Created and hosted by the Sampson Community College Foundation, the event is held in honor of Johnson, one of Sampson Community College’s biggest supporters before his passing.

The event invites golfers to tee off to raise funds that will help students at the college reach their goals and achieve their dreams. Lisa Turlington, the SCC Foundation’s executive director, said it’s always a great time, but its purpose is so much more.

“It is always a pleasure to celebrate the Sampson Classic with friends of the college in memory of our dear Bill Johnson,” says Lisa Turlington, executive director of the SCC Foundation. “His legacy to the Foundation is evident in the nearly 50 sponsors and 20 teams playing today. It warms my heart to see so many people supporting the students and staff of SCC. Over $33,000 was raised for education and training in Sampson County. This event was the first charity golf tournament to be played in the county in 2002 and continues to be success.”

The SCC Foundation was founded more than three decades ago and was designed to generate an awareness and broad community support for the college and to seek external funds through private donors to support the college’s mission. This year’s event generated $32,000 revenue to benefit the Foundation.

Dr. Bill Starling, president of SCC, has been there from the beginning.

“This tournament honors one of our earliest benefactors, Mr. Bill Johnson, who was active in his support for SCC, our schools, and so community activities over his life,” he says. “We always want to thank those who play with us each year as well as individual and business supporters who sponsor holes. The tournament is principal annual fund raiser for our Foundation with funds supporting student scholarships. Very often our local scholarships make the difference in someone being able to enroll or complete their program of study. So, on behalf of all our college community, thank you for those who make annual event possible.”

Twenty teams participated in this year’s event, which included more than 100 players as well as volunteers. Helping students with tuition and books is a noble cause but not the only result. The Foundation supports the college on many levels to include everything from mini-grants for instructors that will directly affect students to organizing several similar events throughout the year, to curating the Develop the East project which has allowed SCC to begin soccer intramural play just this month.

“Though I’m not a golfer, it’s fun to be on the course in the fall when the heat has finally given way to the fall air,” adds Paul Viser, member of the SCC Board and the SCC Foundation. “Of course, we pause to remember one of the major figures among the history of College supporters: Bill Johnson. He truly cared about SCC generally, and he cared about the students particularly. I’m grateful that I was able to know him.”

Almost four dozen sponsors contributed the golf tournament this year to include Legacy Sponsors Baker Motor Company, Hog Slat and Prestage Farms as well as Platinum Sponsor Smithfield Hog Production Division.

Walking around the course today and enjoying the changing fall colors, it recalled the many visible changes occurring just across the road at SCC, “says Bill Fulton, co-chair of the event. “The Develop the East initiative and the new welding facility are huge things for the community. Our thanks to today’s players, sponsors, volunteers and the staff and membership at Coharie for contributing to all the positive momentum that the college is currently experiencing.”

Gold Sponsors included Deacon Jones, Dubose Strapping and Merrill Lynch Purcell and Silver Sponsors were BB&T, Butler and Faircloth Real Estate, Clinton Truck and Tractor, First Citizens, Go Automotive of Wilmington, Han-Dee Hugo’s, McDonalds of Clinton, John McPhail, Schindler Elevator Corporation, Smithfield Foods, Southern Bank, Dr. Bill Starling, Star Communications and Dr. Paul and Diane Viser.

Team Sponsors were Lakewood Country Club, AG Thornton Investments and Strickland Wolfbackers. Tee Sponsors for the event were Huff Orthopedics Black, the Pat Jones family, Chestnutt and Johnson, PA, Mary Brown, Central Construction Group, CMS Farming, Daughtry, Woodard, Lawrence and Starling Attorneys, Ezzell Trucking, G.F. and Sylvia Gainey, Group Benefits and Commercial Services, Lyman and Penny Horne, Howard and Carr, PLLC, International Minute Press, Harold and Becky Lail, Robert A. Lee and Associates, Mary Mack’s Inc., Sampson Regional Medical Center, Select Bank and trust, the Jefferson Strickland family, Neal and Jonelle Strickland, F.L. Turlington Lumber Company, B.J. Williamson Gas and Amos and Merrie McLamb.

Neal Strickland, co-chair of the event was excited about it. “This year’s tournament is especially special since Mrs. Ida, wife of Mr. Bill Johnson, passed away this year,” he said. “I know they are looking down today and smiling at what this community is doing to help students further their education at SCC. This is a wonderful tradition that many people look forward to every year.”

The First Flight winner was Butler and Faircloth Real estate consisting of Sprunt Hill, Don Hill, Jay Joyner and Nick Adams. Runner up was Dubose Strapping with Brent Parrish, Brooks Barwick, Jack Parrish and Trent Williamson. Third place was Han-Dee Hugo’s with Michael Mason, Paul Uzzle, Greg Thornton and Ashley Odum.

The Second Flight winner was Ivanhoe Blueberries with Matthew Moore, Walter Upright, Reva Upright and Jon Rovnak. Runner up was Merrrill Lynch/Purcell Team with Mac Purcell, Wes Purcell, Alex Purcell and Patrick Mosher. Third place was Thornton Ventures with Jackie Parrish, Leonard Thaggard, Dwight Spell and Tommy Barker.

The Third Flight winner was Smithfield Hog Production with Benjie Oats, Zach Faircloth, Bradley Cottle and JC Cashwell. Runner up was First Citizens with Trent Sumner, Vince Nelson, Tim Sumner and Wellie Jackson. Third place was GO Automotive of Wilmington with Steve Stefanovich, Tim Howard and John Ehrlich.

Volunteers for the tournament were Bill and Melissa Fulton, Neal and Jonelle Strickland, Morgan Lee Moore, Alta Starling, Erick Garcia, Ruthie Brock, John Cruz, Chandler Ray, Amanda Raynor, Soraya Sanchez-Hernandez, Michael Blankenship, Whitney Williams and Dan Grubb.

For more information about the Sampson Community College Foundation, contact Lisa Turlington at [email protected] or at 910-900-4072.

Team Butler and Faircloth Real Estate, consisting of, in no particular order: Nick Adams, Jay Joyner Don Hill, and Sprunt Hill.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Butler-and-Faircloth-Real-Estate.jpgTeam Butler and Faircloth Real Estate, consisting of, in no particular order: Nick Adams, Jay Joyner Don Hill, and Sprunt Hill.

Team Ivanhoe Blueberries, consisting of, in no particular order: Walter Upright, Reva Upright, John Rovnak and Matthew Moore.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Ivanhoe-Blueberries.jpgTeam Ivanhoe Blueberries, consisting of, in no particular order: Walter Upright, Reva Upright, John Rovnak and Matthew Moore.

Team Smithfield Hog Production, consisting of, in no particular order: Bradley Cottle, JC Cashwell, Zach Faircloth and Benjie Oats.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Smithfield-Hog-Production-.jpgTeam Smithfield Hog Production, consisting of, in no particular order: Bradley Cottle, JC Cashwell, Zach Faircloth and Benjie Oats.
SCC Foundation tourney raises funds for college

By Dan Grubb

Sampson CC