GOLF TOURNAMENT
A Hole in One
By Hayli Zuccola
First Annual “ Get Your Green On ” Chamber Golf Tournament
On March 17 , St . Patrick ’ s Day coincided with Live Oak ’ s newest celebratory event : the inaugural “ Get Your Green On ” Chamber Golf Tournament . Inspired by his experience with Busy Bee , Marshall Beck , the 2021 incoming president of the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors , suggested hosting a golf tournament as a way to raise money for the Chamber ’ s scholarship funds . Though Beck was the chairperson for the fundraiser , it was the combined efforts of the board members and the Chamber as a whole that helped make the tournament ’ s debut a success – and a memorable one at that .
On the morning of the 17th , 100 eager golfers arrived at the Lake City Country Club , which was used to accommodate the sheer size and grandeur of the tournament . The players were given a two-hour window from 10 a . m . to 12 p . m . to sign in and register ; collect their welcome golf bag filled with water , snacks and other goodies ; purchase tickets for various raffle items and enjoy lunch before tee time at noon .
Of course , the excitement didn ’ t end with a complimentary golf bag and delicious lunch as activities were available at each hole along the course . Hole one offered up ice cream to keep players cool in the sun ; hot dogs , sausages and peanuts were available on hole three ; hole nine served up margaritas and frozen daiquiris ; hole 12 carried the mouthwatering hog on a log and refreshments were provided at alternate holes while a refreshment cart made the rounds throughout the afternoon . A costumed spin-the-wheel game brought a sense of whimsy while a hole-in-one contest for $ 10,000 brought out the competitive sides of the happy-go-lucky players .
The festivities didn ’ t end on the fairway as all the players were treated to a prime rib dinner at the end
of the course with trophies awarded to the top three golfers of the day and raffle winners from the morning entries announced .
“ At the end of the day , it was very successful and for us , I think it ’ s one of the best golf outings that has ever been put on for Live Oak ,” Marshall Beck said . “ It ’ s just a lot of fun and it ’ s supporting our Chamber and the Chamber supports the community .”
With its overwhelming success and lingering excitement for next year ’ s event , Beck encourages those who didn ’ t attend 2022 ’ s event to sign up early in 2023 .
“ I want everybody to understand this is not your normal golf tournament , if you missed it this year , you need to be on your p ’ s and q ’ s and sign up next year when the forms come out and don ’ t miss it next year because it ’ s so much fun – so much fun – and there ’ s so much to do and it ’ s a full day of fun and activities ,” he said .
126 SUWANNEE CHAMBER IMPACT | 2022-2023