FEATURED ARTICLE

9TH ANNUAL ANGEL HOUSE GOLF TOURNAMENT

Written by: Jan Garbiel & Sarah Bentley Photos by: Eleanor Frongillo & Kathy Duerr

On May 15, as the sun begins to shine over the Lake Arrowhead Clubhouse, the organizing committee and volunteers make final preparations for the 9th annual Angel House Golf Tournament. With less than an hour before golfers’ check-in, hole sponsor signs are placed at tee boxes, 130 Bojangles biscuits are readied for breakfast, checkin tables are staffed, silent auction and raffle items from community businesses are on display, and carts sit ready to be claimed and loaded with 120 golfers.

It’s almost a “carnival air” as players arrive. Friends greeting friends after a year of “social distancing” and masks, faces and smiles showing the excitement of a beautiful day and hopefully a few birdies and pars. All of this for a great cause.

The North Georgia Angel House sits just minutes away for Lake Arrowhead, nestled between Waleska and Canton. It serves as a foster home to girls between the ages of 12-21. Susan Worsley, Executive Director, states that their philosophy is simple. “We believe that every girl deserves a “mulligan” and Angel House is there to provide that through with support of the community. Once that is provided, the girls are given structure, encouragement, accountability and a sense of purpose to find a direction in life that will lead to a successful emancipation. As our tag line goes, Giving Girls Roots, Giving Girls Wings. Roots grown through the relationships built in the community, yet Wings are earned as our girls move away to the next chapter of life and invest in another, just as you have in them. We could not do the important work we do without you!”

With last year’s donation of $10,000, from sponsors and businesses, Angel House remodeled three of the girl’s bedrooms. They scraped all popcorn ceilings, replaced floors, ship-lapped walls, replaced light fixtures, moved electrical outlets, replaced doors, built in beds, replaced all bedding and added a smart TV to all 8 bedrooms. Each room cost $4000 to remodel. The gift certificates collected were used to purchase supplies, food, movies, crafts, take-out meals and activities.

This year The Lake Arrowhead LGA and MGA will present a $21,000 check to Angel House. Susan and her crew will use these funds to renovate a home recently purchased next door that will provide housing for six additional girls who were picked up during human trafficking sweeps. That project will cost $70,000. We are proud that the LGA and MGA can provide a portion of those funds.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this event!!!! We couldn’t do it without all of you.

Congratulations to the Tournament Winners!!!!! 9th Annual Angel House Charity Golf Tournament Winners

First Flight: First Place: Score 57 Pat Farrelly, Jeff Ciupak Mel Standley, Lee Huebner Second Place: Score 58 Shane Benefield, Phil Hunnicut, Steve Greer, Chuck Smith

Second Flight First Place: Score 68 Scott Hall, Paula Hall, Patti Adams, Larry Adams Second Place: Score 68 Rick Warnke, Bobby Pyles, John Harcharic, Rick Bondie

Third Flight: First Place: Score 71 Deb Switalski, Kim Brophy, Suzie Champitto, Ray Champitto Second Place: Score 71 Jeff Garrett, Tim Callahan, Dave Hullings, Dan McGowan

SPECIAL PRIZES Ladies Longest Drive - Paula Hall Ladies Closest to the Hole - Eleanor Gibbons Men’s Longest Drive - Brian Schell Senior Men’s Longest Drive -Steve Greer Men’s Closest to the Hole - Andrew Duncan 50/50 - Andy Anderson, Sr. Putting Contest - Phil Hunnicut

more photos and tournament sponsors on page 28 >>>