The sun held out long enough Saturday for the competitors to test their drives at the ninth annual Henry “Hank” White Memorial Golf Tournament at Cherokee Rose Golf Club in Hinesville.
The tournament competitors all tied with a score of 59. Winners were determined by counting back from the 18th hole. First place went to the team of David Jones, Martin Carryl, Robert Willis and Charles Scott. Second place was awarded to the First African Baptist Church in Savannah team of Boyce Carter, Terry Enouch, Kirby McCoy and Sam Grant. Third place went to another team from First African Baptist in Savannah, comprised of James Riles, James Williams, George Johnson and Herman Skipper.
Prizes also were awarded to:
• Longest drive: Albert Porter on No. 14
• Straightest drive: W. H. Mallard on No. 16
• Longest putt: Martin Carryl on No. 18
• Closest to pin: Ralph Perez on No. 7, Charles Scott on No. 17.
The golf tournament committee announced it has exceeded $50,000 worth of scholarships.
The annual golf tournament honors White, who was the chairman of the deacons board at First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and was the state chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. White traveled the state with the church and organization, doing whatever he could to help the children attain better education.
After White passed away, his son, Henry White Jr., organized the golf tournament, which offers $1,000 scholarships to local students.
Scholarship-fund recipients, with the colleges they planned to attend, were: Matthew Brown, Georgia Southern; JaVoni Canty, Georgia Regents University; Ayonna James, Tennessee State University; Daniesha McLaughlin, Georgia State University; Aliyah McMillan, Georgia Southern; Donnie Pulliam, Morehouse College; Shaunquelle Sapp, Columbus State University; and Raveenn Smith, Armstrong Atlantic State University.
Each applicant submitted an essay, letters of recommendations and was a graduate of Liberty County High School or Bradwell Institute, a member of First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church or a resident of the community.