120 Golfers Participate in WEF’s 34th Annual Hugh Martin Memorial Golf Tournament

34th Annual Hugh Martin Memorial Golf Tournament photo.  Photo by Gordon Burns

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The Wilkes Education Foundation’s (WEF) 34th Annual Hugh Martin Memorial Golf Tournament, was held on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Oakwoods Country Club. It generated a record $30,000 to be used to award mini-grants and scholarships to Wilkes County Schools’ teachers and students.

A shot-gun start began at noon with 120 golfers participating. For 2023-24, the Hugh Martin Memorial Golf Tournament awarded $36,609.67 for 32 awards up to $2,000 each to Wilkes County Schools’ teachers in the form of mini-grants for special projects that are not funded through the state or county. Mini-grants made possible by this year’s tournament will be awarded this summer. 

In addition to the mini-grants, WEF has awarded scholarships totaling $106,500 to Wilkes County students for the 2024-2025 academic year. Cumulatively, in the past 40 years, the WEF has awarded, in support of education, over $2,073,610 to Wilkes County teachers and students. 

David McNeill, golf tournament committee chair, stated, “There are some players who have played every year, not only returning for the fun and fellowship but also because it supports a great cause - Wilkes County Schools. I am grateful for the support of all the 120 players, our 120 sponsors, and the volunteers and committee members who helped make this year’s tournament such a great success.”

The tournament was established in memory of Hugh Martin who died in April 1990. Martin was an avid golfer and had been a teacher at Mulberry Elementary School and Wilkes Central School before becoming a state and federal probation officer.  “He supported any event that made a difference for students,” added McNeill. “Hugh always looked for the best in others”. His untimely death was a reminder to his friends, “We do not take away in life; we can only give.” 

This year’s tournament was in honor and memory of Dr. Keith Bentley, a lead initiator, charter and continuing member of the board, and supporter of the Wilkes Education Foundation (WEF) from it’s inception.  Marcia Reynolds, Scholarship Committee chair, presented the first annual Dr. Keith Bentley Memorial Scholarship of $10,000 to Andrew Barlow.   Dr. Bentley’s wife, Aileen Bentley, and his children, Milton Bentley and Myra Bentley Lee, were in attendance at this year’s golf tournament.

The Captain’s Choice results of the 2023 competition are as follows:

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Carolina West Wireless served as the lead tournament sponsor.  Corporate sponsors included Window World, ECMD, Fourth Elm Construction, Brown and Brown and Wilcox Marketing. Arnold and Becky Lakey sponsored dinner and Larry and Diane Stone sponsored lunch, both meals were provided by Can Do catering. Hole-in-one sponsors included McNeill Chevrolet and Nissan; Randy Marion Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep; Phil Stevens Specialty Cars; and, Blue Ridge Tractor.  In all, more than 120 individuals, groups and businesses contributed to the event by being hole sponsors.

In addition to the support of the players and sponsors, the efforts of a dedicated group of foundation members and volunteers make the Hugh Martin Memorial Golf Tournament possible. Together they completed the many tasks for the successful tournament, including preparing goodies for players, monitoring snacks and beverages throughout the event, and assisting with registration and event contests.  Special thanks to the following for volunteering their time and energy to the event:  Connie and David McNeill, Bill Myers, Danny Holman, Arnold Lakey, Bill Myers, Charles Wooten, Marcia Reynolds, Marsh Lyall, Bert Young, Gordon Burns, Doris Stroud, and Holden Abrams and staff at Oakwoods Country Club.

The Wilkes Education Foundation is a private, non-profit, IRS 501(c) (3) tax-exempt endowment corporation dedicated to promoting excellence in education in the Wilkes County Schools. For information about contributing to the WEF, contact Jody Hamby, 302 9th St, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.  For more information, see www.wilkeseducationfoundation.org.