Golfers raise money again for Second Chance Animal Shelter

A Second Chance Animal Shelter's 16th-Annual Charity Golf Classic, held Saturday, March 23, on the Players Course at Wyboo is now one for the record books. But the weather had threatened to not cooperate, with week-long forecasts of rain beforehand. After three months of dedicated effort by a stalwart group of shelter volunteers and staff, plus the support of 70 local companies, organizations and individuals who purchased hole sponsorships, an additional 48 donors who contributed more than 86 prizes for the golfers to vie for and 38 teams (152 golfers) registered to participate (a record for the event), the Classic seemed in jeopardy.

But chief event organizers Patty Whetsell and Sherri Arment had one more ace to play in their winning hand. Despite some occasional drizzle as the golfers were munching on their continental breakfast, getting instructions from course pro Taylor Jones, they arranged for the rain to stop and for the course to clear.

At 9:07 a.m., 38 carts zoomed to their starting hole and a chance to make ASCAS Golf Classic history. Not only were they competing among themselves for glory, but also for the first time they had a chance to win a 2024 Jeep Rubicon. It was arranged by Grow Financial Federal Credit Union and donated by Santee Automotive in Manning, and by scoring a hole-in-one at the par-3 13th hole, a skillful and lucky golfer could possibly be toting his or her clubs home in a new Jeep.

As the players vied for golfing fame, volunteers circulated the course with beverages of every sort and staffed the various holes where players could win other prizes. More helpers were hard at work at the clubhouse, preparing a lunch of hot dogs and burgers (expertly grilled by Jones) and laying out an absolutely huge dessert table put together by Rosemary Warner and her baking elves, along with some other home chefs. Oh! And organizing and arranging the area where, post-lunch, those 86 prizes would be soon handed out.

As the golfers streamed in, the long lines for food moved quickly while various conversations (think tall stories and excuses) could be overheard as players recounted their time on the course. Alas, despite their best efforts, the Jeep remained the property of Santee Automotive (although one golfer did manage a hole-in-one, albeit on another par-3).

Appetites satisfied, everyone adjourned to the patio area for a chance to win one (or more) of the donated prizes. These ranged from gift certificates from local businesses to artwork, liquid refreshments, even a hand-hewn duck call and the much-coveted bicycle from BCA. While recipients appreciated them all, the big moment was the drawing for the 50/50 prize: $655 to the lucky winner. With that, the crowd was slow to leave, seemingly reluctant to let such a great day reach its conclusion but with talk already for attending ASCAS's 17th.

The staff and volunteers that represent A Second Chance Animal Shelter are proud of the work they do and their contribution to Clarendon County. As a no-kill facility whose mission is to protect and shelter the unwanted, abandoned dogs and cats within the county, to facilitate their adoption and to educate the general community about responsible pet ownership, it is completely dependent on community support in the form of donations and events such as the Classic.

For more information or to learn about becoming a shelter volunteer, visit Facebook.com/ASCAS.Manning or ASecondChanceAnimalShelter.com.