Ashe Free Medical Clinic to Hold Golf Tournament

By Joel Frady

Golfers interested in enjoying a round of captain's choice while supporting a local non-profit agency can mark

their calendars for Thursday, May 28, when the Ashe County Free Medical Clinic will be hosting their second annual charity golf tournament at the 18-hole, par 72 Jefferson Landing golf course. The tournament will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Ken Lynn, a volunteer with the clinic, said that the event is "a good way to come out and have a good time and also do something nice for the community." He noted that was Dr. Melinda Wonsick originally proposed the idea to hold a fundraising tournament because "a lot of doctors like to golf.

"There's a lot of volunteer doctors at the clinic, so that was kind of the genesis, and there are a lot of golfers here in Ashe County as well," he said.

Golfers will compete in teams of four, and registration is $100 per golfer.

Participants will also get the chance to cash prizes, raffle prizes and a 2009 Buick Enclave from West Jefferson Chevrolet if they record a hole-in-one on the designated hole.

Lynn noted that this year's raffle prizes will be "more conducive for a golfer" than the raffle items at the inaugural tournament.

The clinic, which opened in July 2006, has approximately 800 patients, according to the clinic's executive director, Greg Bolac. He noted that they had 1,700 patient visits in 2008 and that they "provide medical services to people that are uninsured . . . and it's totally free."

Bolac said that the 2008 tournament raised approximately $10,000 of the $180,000 operating budget for the year, but he hopes to see that total increase this year. He noted that the clinic does not receive government funding and that fundraisers, like the tournament, play a vital role for the clinic.

"most of our money today comes from grants, and we're trying to get away from that because those are never guaranteed," said Bolac. "We're trying to develop local community support, and that's where the golf tournament is a big player for us."

Bolac said that every dollar raised by the clinic is turned into more than $4 worth of returns for the patients.

"Last year, we had more than $800,000 worth of services that were free to our patients," he said. "It's an extremely important service to our county."

Lynn said that the tournament will be held "unless it is pouring or lighting" and that no rain date has been set. If the weather does prove inclement, however, Lynn noted that "the event would be rescheduled."

A golf cart and refreshments are included in the entry fee, and golfers also have the option to purchase mulligans.

For more information or to register, call Doug Ehrhardt at (336) 877-9260 or Ken Lynn at (336) 877-2279. Registration forms are also available at the clinic.

The Ashe County Free Medical Clinic is located at 105 East Main Street in Jefferson. To find out more about the clinic, call (336) 846-4649 or click to www.acfmc.org.