HCDP Golf Outing Supports Party, Vets

By Bob Gatty

The 2nd Annual Dick Elliott Memorial Golf Outing, held on Saturday, June 29, by the Horry County Democratic Party (HCDP) at Legends Golf Resort in Myrtle Beach was, by all accounts, a great success.

The event was an important part of HCDP’s initiative to raise funds for its activities, and 10 percent of net profits will be contributed to the Veterans Welcome Home and Resource Center in Little River, which also benefited from a special drawing, sponsored by Anderson Insurance LLC of Little River, that provided one golfer a chance to shoot for $1 million.

“It was a spectacular event,” said HCDP Chair Don Kohn. “There was unanimous feedback that choosing the Legends course was a real plus. Every golfer received a door prize and the five hole-in-one competitions made the day even more fun.”

Brian Madden of Myrtle Beach won the opportunity to take the $1 million shot from 150 yards out on the 18th green, but unfortunately didn’t quite make it.

“I just wanted to help the vets,” he said.

“Special thanks to Anderson Insurance, Larry O’Donohue and Elliott Realty and Eagle Nest Golf Club and Rick Elliott for their support,” Kohn said. “I also want to thank all of our volunteers; we couldn’t do it without you!”

The $1 million shot required a special, direct donation to the Veterans Welcome Home and Resource Center. Contributors’ names were placed in a hat to be drawn by Ron Wilson, the center’s director.

“We greatly appreciate all of this,” said Wilson. “It’s events like this that helps fund our program.

 Anderson Insurance also sponsored four additional hole-in-one opportunities, including a chance to win either a new Escalade or Corvette from Myrtle Beach Chevrolet Cadillac, a set of custom-made Cobra golf clubs, a one year supply of golf balls and a Travis Mathew head-to-toe outfit plus $500 for a shopping spree.

Unfortunately, no hole-in-one attempts were successful.

In a surprise presentation at the post-golf awards luncheon, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans honored the memory of Senator Dick Elliott, for whom the golf outing was named.

Ryan Waters, director of business development, presented Elliott’s son, Rick, and his widow, Anne, with a framed Pelicans jersey with the number 30 to represent the 30 years Elliott spent serving Horry County in Columbia without missing a day.

Rick Elliott said his father was extremely proud of that fact and noted that he was so highly respected that Republicans tried to convince him to switch parties. “No, I’m going to ride my donkey into the sunset,” he told the GOP, according to Rick. “And that’s what he did.”

HCDP’s Don Kohn lauded the late senator and noted that even Republicans ran a campaign ad urging his election.

“We need more of that today,” he said.

As they enjoyed the awards luncheon, participating golfers were unanimous in saying the event provided great golf on a terrific course, with the chance to enjoy the day with friends while supporting both the HCDP and our veterans.

Tom Goodwin, who with Neal Gilbert and Rob McPherson, traveled from Brunswick County, N.C., to support the event, said his team had a great time. “I was impressed with the course, he said, “but most of all we just wanted to support Democrats in Horry County. We’ve got to hang together, or we most certainly will hang separately.”

The Brunswick County Democratic Party will hold a tournament on August 25 at Sandpiper Bay. Please return the favor and support that event. For more information email Goodwin at themayor0816@gmail.com.

Davey Jones of Market Common said he brought a foursome from his neighborhood and they had a terrific time. “I recently moved here, and I want to help Democrats get more votes, simple as that,” he said. “We’ve got to combat the current president and see if we can do a better job of deflecting this guy.”

Even some Horry County Republicans supported the event.

“We’re not Democrats, but Senator Elliott was a good guy,” said Nick Camera of Little River. “This was a chance to play a good golf course with some good friends. It was a good day.”

Camera and his friend, Lon Pike, are with the Little River VFW, which helped start the Veterans Welcome Home and Resource Center in Little River. “So, we also wanted to support that,” he said.

Ernest Carson said he came to support HCDP, and looking at his friends, Mike Fitzgerald and Porcia Stewart, he grinned. “They came because they had no choice.”

Golf committee chair Barbara Eisenhart was effusive in expressing appreciation to all those who participated, as well as those who sponsored holes, provided prizes and her committee members who helped make the event possible.

“It was an incredible effort,” she said. “We look forward to our third annual event next summer.”