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the community to help improve the area.
Rhett Carter, Stephanie Richardson, Marley Meeks, and Small Group Coach Ame Lane decided to focus their efforts on raising money for The Refuge Domestic Violence Shelter and Sexual Assault Center through a disc golf tournament.
“I'm obsessed with disc golf and always talking about it, so Ame suggested incorporating that into our project by putting on a tournament for a local organization. Since I run the JR Trippe Disc Golf Club, I had a course we could use and kids that would play in our youth division,” Carter shared. “We all threw out some options for who to benefit with the raised funds and The Refuge was everyone's first choice. [The Refuge Executive Director] Betty Dell [Williams] is my brother's mother-inlaw, so I have known her for years. She didn't hesitate when I asked her about it! After our session there we found out what a need it serves here in our community and we knew we had made the right choice.”
The group met several times to design the tournament, and enlisted the help of Montgomery County Citizen Haley McKie to design a logo and make t-shirts and plaques for the event. Carter shared that even J.R. Trippe Middle School contributed to the project by purchasing additional disc golf baskets to ensure the school’s course was suited for an 18-hole tournament.
“We exceeded our expectations and had 56 people sign up to play from all around the area as far as Savannah. The good Lord blessed us with awesome weather and the tournament went very smoothly! Everyone involved definitely followed the number one rule of disc golf: have fun!” Carter added.
The group raised $1,600 through t-shirt sales and tournament registration, and received an additional $333 in donations at the tournament, making the total amount raised $1,933.
“The Rumble for The Refuge Disc Golf Tournament was an incredible event. Thank you to the 56 who registered to play. Through the efforts of everyone, $1,933 was raised to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. We are so grateful to Rhett Carter, Marley Meeks, Stephanie Richardson, and Ame Lane for all their efforts in making this a very successful and fun event for everyone!” The Refuge Executive Director Betty Dell Williams emphasized.
Over 50 people were registered in the tournament, which was divided into three divisions. The top three placements in each division received a plaque and were recognized for their skills.
In the Youth Division (ages 17 and under), Isaac Hodges took home 1st place honors, while Keyvon Thomas followed in 2nd Place, and Sheppard Purcell earned 3rd place.
In the Women’s Division, Jordan Robins came out victorious, earning 1st Place. Marlie Matthews followed in 2nd place, and Zoe Carter took home 3rd Place honors.
In the Men’s Division, Stuart McKie was the champion, as he took home the 1st Place prize. Grayson Johnson followed closely in 2nd Place, and Michael Clements claimed the 3rd Place spot.
Tournament organizers shared that they have been asked to make the tournament an annual event and are looking into the possibility of the option.
