Hagel Golf Tournament to Benefit 4-H Youth Connection

By Joel Frady

Spring has finally returned to Ashe County, and the fresh grass on the ground can only mean one thing: it's

time for the annual Carl Hagel Memorial Golf Tournament at Mountain Aire Golf Club in West Jefferson. The 14th annual event, held in honor of Mountain Aire founder Carl Hagel, will pit teams of four in a captain's choice tournament to raise funds for the 4-H Youth Connection in Ashe County.

Lanny Landry, who has helped organize the event since it began in 1996, said that it was created as a 4-H fundraiser.

"Mark Hagel wanted to find a way to honor his dad, and his dad had always supported children and children's causes," said Landry.

Landry added that the tournament has grown each year, from approximately four teams that first year to approximately 40 teams in 2008.

"It's more than 160 players and we fill up the course all day," said Landry.

The tournament will offer tee times at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for golfers. Landry said that the captain's choice style means "there's no pressure on any one person."

Debbie Smith, 4-H program Associate for Ashe Youth Connection, said that the event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the program.

"The proceeds allow us to continue our programming efforts, which include educational courses, materials for training and group activities," said Smith. She noted that the Youth Connection "emphasizes the mentoring aspect and the educational benefit from that" by matching adult volunteers with children that need a mentor. The youth and the adults agree "to spend eight hours or more per month together," according to Smith.

Smith noted that she has enjoyed the annual fundraiser because it "brings together a lot of our folks who enjoy playing golf and a lot of support for our program.

"We have a lot of fun," Smith continued. "This is a real laid back tournament."

Landry said that the tournament also draws a lot of repeat players each year.

"We try and treat them well," said Landry, who said that they bake barbecue chicken and offer homemade salads and desserts for the players. "We really let the people know how much we appreciate it."

Mark Hagel, current owner of the golf course, said that it "has certainly been a pleasure" to help 4-H and honor his father with the tournament each year.

"I know that he would have liked it, too, if he were here," said Hagel.

Entry fee for the tournament is $65 per player. For more information about the tournament or 4-H Youth Connection, or to register, call (336) 846-5850 or click to ashe.ces.ncsu.edu. To find out more about the Mountain Aire Golf Club, call (336) 877-4716 or click to www.mountainaire.com.