The Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains held its annual golf tournament at Eagle’s Landing with 59 teams playing throughout the day.

According to Faye Randolph, Eagle’s Landing Golf Club manager, it was the largest benefit tournament ever held at the course.The event raised enough money to serve 62 children for an entire year — 24 more than last year’s tournament.

“Despite the economic climate, this event just proves yet again that the hearts of Sevier Countians are as big as the Smoky Mountains,” according to Chief Professional Officer Mark Ross. “They heard of our kids’ need this year and they took it up a notch to make sure that the kids of this community have a safe place to go after school and during the summer. We still need to raise a substantial amount during the last quarter of the year to meet current demands, but the success of this event helps immensely and gives us hope for the rest of 2009.”

The overall winning team was from Sevier County Utility District, whose members were Matt Ballard, Eddie Ballard, Jimmy Hatcher and Jerry Floyd. They each took home a $150 gift certificate to J Floyds Golf & Gun Works. The team also won a chance to play Tennessee National Golf Course.

Second flight winning team of Keith Biggs, Aaron Ward, Rich Rodriguez and M.J. Pappas from The Partridge and The Pear at Christmas Place won $150 gift certificates and a round at Holston Hills Golf Course.

James Cochran, Noah Vickers, Stan Reno and Bo Collins represented the third flight winning team from Gray Hodges. They won $150 gift certificates and a round at Oak Ridge Country Club.

Prizes were also awarded on each hole.

“Several prizes were donated from another golf tournament that didn’t take place this year,” said Ross. “We were able to add those to certificates we had already collected so we were able to give out some great prizes.”

Pilot Food Mart was the presenting sponsor for the tournament, with Regal Entertainment returning as event sponsor. Wilderness Resorts sponsored the golf carts and Food City was the long drive sponsor. Collier Restaurant Group provided breakfast, while lunch was provided by Bullfish Grill, which also provided food for the awards presentation. Although no one got a hole in one, Burchfiel-Overbay Associates was prepared to award $10,000 and Ownby Insurance a 2009 Camaro.

The event committee included Eric Johnson, Barry Shular, Brian Jensen, Jeff Dickert, Steve Layman and Drew Overbay.

Next year’s tournament is scheduled for Oct. 6. For more information contact Sue Dempersmier at 428-6550 or e-mail to bgcresource@bellsouth.net.