Golf outing raises money for Beulah House

by Wanda Combs
Editor

“People have been here year after year. It’s unbelievable how the support has grown,” Beulah House administrator Judy Epperly commented Thursday. It was the first day of a golf event for her assisted living facility in Dublin and the rain was coming down at the Draper Valley Golf Course, but the weather didn’t dampen enthusiasm.
The next day excitement stepped up at the 6th Annual Xpress Market Beulah House Golf Outing as West Virginian Lou Francisco won the hole-in-one challenge and a two-year lease on a 2011 F150 Club Cab from Duncan Automotive in Blacksburg.
The golf event is the major fundraiser for Beulah House, and Epperly is quick to praise Stanley and Karen Moran, who started the fundraisers and have continued them every year. She said every year new elements are added.
Over 80 teams (of four) participated in last week’s event; some teams played in more than one of the competitions. The fundraiser is one of the largest charity golf outings in southwest Virginia, said Adam Nelson, Director of Golf Operations for Draper Valley Golf Course.
Floyd Farm Bureau agent Ed Terry, one of the golfers on Thursday, was there with other Farm Bureau agents - George Slusher of Floyd, Roger Dodson of Henry County, and Bob Burnette of Patrick County. “It’s an outstanding tournament, as reflected by the fact they had to add a second day,” remarked Terry.
Timmy Harris, a recent Floyd County High School graduate and athlete, also played Thursday, for the second year, with his father Gary, and two other local residents, Bobby Clark and Tater Thompson. “There are lots of good prizes,” Timmy Harris said. “It’s a wonderful course,” added Gary Harris, “and we thank Draper Valley for letting them have it here every year.”
“It’s a good cause,” said Gary Thompson, who works at the Riner Food Center and has been helping with the tournament for five years. He also plays on one of the Xpress Market teams.
Doug Weddle, who is another Xpress Market team member, said the event also provides “good fellowship and great people to hang out with and supports a tremendous cause.”
Dirk Davis, whose Nationwide team made the low score of the morning on Friday, said he has been a participant in the golfing event for the past five years. “We always make sure we have a team. It’s the best tournament of the year we play.” He commended the Morans and also the “staff” of workers at the fundraiser, especially Audra Weddle, who helps “line everything up. She’s amazing.”
“We are just amazed at all the sponsorships and people who turned out,” Karen Moran said Thursday. Karen explained she and Stanley became acquainted with Epperly when she was her father’s hospice nurse. “We had concerns about how many people needed a home….She was looking for a place.” At first, Karen’s father’s home was considered, but it did not meet zoning requirements. A brick house, located in Dublin, was found.
The Morans organized the first tournament to start the home. Karen said the response was “phenomenal from the very beginning.” The home, which provides 24 hour a day care, not only helps the patients, but also the family members during difficult times, Karen commented.
Winners of the golf outing last week included:
Thursday morning: one flight, Pudgy Edwards, first, Dale Slaughter, second, and Timmy Harris, third; second flight, Mary Jane Carico, first, Layman Candy Company, second,, and Piedmont Transportation, third.
Thursday afternoon, par 3 contest: one flight, Willis Meat Processing, first, Carrie McConnell, second, Farm Bureau, third; second flight, Trish Golding, first, Ronnie Alexander, second, Baileys, third.
Friday morning: first flight, Dirk Davis Nationwide, first, Shiloh Christian Church, second, Turman Lumber Company, third; second flight, Blue Ridge Beverage, first, DLB, second, Edens Distributing, third; third flight, Altria, first, Ronnie Alexander, second, Debbie Miller, third.
Friday afternoon: first flight, Willis Meat Processing, first, Bull & Bones, second, Cintas, third; second flight, H.T. Hackney, first, Pete Tolley, second, T.J. Holfield, third; third flight, New River Bank, first, George Seagle, second, and James Hardy Inc., third.
The golf event got support from Pepsi Cola, Edens Distributing, Marva Maid, Coca Cola, Draper Valley Golf Club, Blue Ridge Embroidery, Layman Candy Company, Altria, Jackson Insurance, Fort Chiswell RV Park, H.T. Hackney, Texas Road House, Wade’s Supermarkets, Duncan Automotive, Bull & Bones, and others. Par sponsors were Stevens Funeral Home, First Bank and Trust, New River Bank, Hunter Snack Foods, Peak Rehab, Willis Meat Processing, Shiloh Christian Church, Turman Log Homes, and Marathon Oil.

Caption: Carroll Dale (standing) and Dirk Davis (kneeling) watch a fellow team member, John Herndon, as he makes an eagle putt. Photo by Doug Thompson