OMC Foundation Golf Classic

If you have never seen 200 golf balls being dropped from a helicopter, you may want to mark October 23 at noon on your calendar and come out to Oconee Medical Center.  “As a part of the annual Oconee Medical Center Foundation Golf Classic, we hold a Golf Ball Drop each year,” said Cortni Nations, OMC Foundation Executive Director.  “Our goal is to sell at least 200 golf balls which will be dropped from a helicopter hovering over a bull’s eye painted on the ground.  If we meet our goal, the ‘owner’ of the ball that is the closest to the pin will win $2500, second closest $1000 and third closest $500.” Each golf ball is available for purchase for $50.  Balls are now available for purchase by contacting the OMC Foundation Office at 885-7562 or at the Oconee Medical Center Gift Basket.  “This event has always brought a great deal of excitement to the tournament and involved many people who are not golfers,” said Jean King, Golf Classic Chair.  “People have purchased golf balls for themselves, their children and grandchildren, knowing that the more balls they purchased the greater the opportunity to win,” said Cheryl Kelly Golf Ball Drop committee chair. “Participating in the Golf Ball Drop is a fun way to support the Foundation, possibly win some significant cash and you don’t have to be present to win.”  The OMC Golf Classic began in 2008 when the Oconee Medical Center Foundation and the Oconee Medical Center Auxiliary decided to create an annual golf classic to raise money to benefit the citizens of Oconee County and the greater Clemson area.    Since inception, the Golf Classic has raised a more than $300,000.  In addition to providing $125,000 for Lifeline services, proceeds have been used to buy new equipment for the OMC patient care and the OMC New Life Center for Joint Health, equipment for Lila Doyle Long-term Care Facility, to help build the third and final phase of The Cottingham Hospice House, and to support Safe Kids in Oconee County and Mountain Lakes Access Health.  The 2013 event promises to be another successful venture, hosting golf tournaments at both Keowee Key Country Club and Cross Creek Plantation.  Jean King reports that this year’s tournament will focus on raising funds for key healthcare initiatives.  “Funds raised will specifically help provide safety education and devices to Oconee’s children through our Safe Kids Upstate Oconee County program.  In addition, we will raise funds to provide lifesaving Lifeline emergency equipment to low income and disabled citizens and to help fund a new Mountain Lakes Access Health community dental clinic for low income adults in Oconee County and the greater Clemson area.”  A limited number of golf sponsorships and team slots remain.   The Golf Classic concludes with a Big Swing Reception and Auction at the Club at Keowee Key, starting at 6:00 p.m.  All golfers receive complimentary tickets to the Big Swing.  Additional tickets for non-golfers are available at $30 each.    A live and silent auction will be held at the Big Swing Reception featuring a 7- night getaway in Banff, Canada, a 4 man dove hunt in Argentina, an autographed Jimmy Buffet guitar and much, much more.   Anyone interested in tickets for the Golf Ball Drop, Golf Tournament or Reception can call Oconee Medical Center Foundation at 885-7562.