The Zachary Kiwanis Sixth Annual Benefit Golf Tournament was held at Copper Mill Golf Club on July 6. The 1 p.m. shotgun start almost didn’t start due to the rain. Where the green was supposed to be green, it was brown, but that didn’t stop golfers from having a blast. 

The Kiwanis Club’s emphasis this year is raising money to buy AED’s (automated external defibrillators). AED’s are portable devices used when someone suffers from sudden cardiac arrest. It checks the person’s heart rhythm, decides if that rhythm is “off”, and gives the heart an electric shock that restores the correct, natural rhythm. The Kiwanis Club is saving one life at a time with contributions, donations, and fundraisers such as the Copper Mill Golf Tournament.

The service organization’s previous projects include financial contributions to Copper Mill, Northwestern and Zachary Elementary schools, Northwestern Middle, and Zachary High. Also contributions to the pediatric units of Lane RMC and Earl K. Long Hospital have been made.

Golfers who participated were: Ricky McDavid, David McDavid, Chad Oliphant, Lonny Myles, Roger Sullivan, Mark Simoneaux, Ranell Franklin, Al Phillips, Davy Ammons, Cecil Manchester, Phil Manchester, Jonas Cuti, Travis Thornton, Judd Johnson, Stanley Watts, Albert Andrews, Don Green, John Healey, Fred Hernandez, Op Falgoust, Jason Falgoust, Luke Williamson, Michell Forlatt, Debbie Spica, Terri Reeves, and Cindy Dimarco.

Winners of the tournament categories were: Closest to the Pin won by Debbie Spica, Low Gross won by the Fire Quest Team, and Low Net was won by the Al Phillips Team.

A very special thanks to Kiwanis Club members Audrey Jackson, Stella Ashford and President Elect Bruce Langley who organized the registration; member Al Phillips ensured the prizes were in order and teams turned in scores; and Mike Allou was in charge of signage.

Platinum Sponsors were Leader Title—Lonny Myles and Wal-Mart with $1,000 each. Firequest—O’neal Falgoust, State Farm—Al Phillips, and New York Life- Bruce Langley with $500. Silver Sponsors were Certain Title—John Hopwell and ABMB Engineers Vyron Bernard with $250 each.  Hole sponsors were Leader Title, Wal-Mart, New York Life, Firequest, State Farm, Lane RMC, Georgia Pacific, Certain Title, Guaranty Bank, AllState- Charlene Smith, Castello Insurance Agency, and Zachary Manor.

Door prizes were donated by Pretty Woman Boutique, Chris’ Specialty Meats, Hancock Bank, The Cottage Fine Art and Framing, and Subway.  A very special thanks to Jesse Spears and Kiwanis President Patrick Tate for driving me around so I could photograph the event.