The 13th Annual Stillman College Scholarship Golf Tournament was given an extra boost by the support of seven outstanding community leaders who helped to demonstrate that while “It takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to help finance a child’s college education today.” Looking past alma mater affiliations, these community celebrities participated in the tournament to help Birmingham students interested in matriculating at Stillman College, to be able to do so. Providing their assistance were: Bobby Humphrey, former running back at the University of Alabama and the Denver Broncos of the NFL; Chris Osborne, National Amputee Longest Drive Champion; Jesse Lewis, Sr., Birmingham golf trailblazer and founder of The Birmingham Times and The Lewis Group; Glennon Bazzle, renowned golf instructor and author of the book, The Anatomy of the Perfect Golf Swing; General George Bowman, Jefferson County Commissioner; Jay Roberson, Birmingham City Councillor; and Michael Grant, Stillman College Basketball Coach.
Also, giving added support to the tournament were four golfers who competed in Stillman College Golf Scholarship Swingers’ competition by securing personal sponsors for themselves in this competition. They included: Jordan Frazier, Darryl Jones, Alvin Washington, and Gloria Dennard. Gloria Dennard won the competition by raising the largest amount of money and was named 2013 Stillman College Scholarship Golf Tournament Swinger of the Year.
A special feature of the 2013 tournament was a special gift of $1,000 to Stillman College for a scholarship in the name of James Lewis, Sr. in honor of his outstanding service as the golf tournament co-chair over the past several years. Lewis passed away in April of 2013. This gift was made possible by James Lewis’ family and friends, and was presented by James Lewis, Jr.
The tournament winners included: First- Place Male Team: James Hunter, Jr., Larry Holman, Jordan Frazier and Ed Frazier; First- Place Female Team: Patience Claybon, Gloria Dennard and Bonika Wilson; Second -Place Male Team: Walter Thomas, Doc Fisher, Jim Fisher and Stovall; Second- Place Female Team: Carole Johnson, LaSondra Chavers, and Earlie Simmons; Third- Place Male Team: Jim Hollins, Steve Jefferson, Fred Carr and Joe Hill; Longest Drive Male: C.G. Covey; Longest Drive Female: Earlie Simmons; Closest to the Pin Male: Alvin Washington; Closest to the Pin Female: Bonika Wilson. The putting contest winner was Jim Hollins.
Corporate and community supporters of the tournament included: Siemens Industry, Inc., New Start Community Development, LLC of Tuscaloosa; Citizens Trust Bank, Coca-Cola Company, The Birmingham Times/The Lewis Group, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, Bennette’s Motor World, Crown Mercedes-Hoover, American Red Cross, Aaron’s Bail Bonding, Alabama Power Company, Alagasco/Energen, Enterprise Car Rental, Regions Bank, Roebuck Golf Course, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Career Circle, Professional Women Golf Association (PWGA), Delta Sigma Theta Friends, Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, Dr. Ernest McNealey, Vulcan Kiwanis Club, Lake Geneva Grand Resort-Wisconsin, the Westin Hotel, Historic Tutwiler Hotel, King Acura Automobile Dealership, CVS, Stillman College, University of Alabama, Margaret Beard, Smitherman Campaign Committee, Charlie Waldrep, Good Year Speedy Tire and Service-Lakeshore, CBS TV-42, Miles College Alumni Association, Lena’s Restaurant-East of the Mississippi (Awards Luncheon Sponsor), Tim Sheffield’s Catering Service (Awards Luncheon Sponsor), Pzzazz Studio, Sanguard Security Services, L.L.C., and Allstate Insurance Company (Charles McGhee).
The tournament planning committee consisted of Cora Williams, Andrea Whitfield, Michelle Davis-Avery, Arthur Bailey, Corine Williams, Adrian Scott (Stillman Alumni Affairs Office), Jordan Frazier, Alvin Washington and Darryl Jones, Co-Chairs; and Gloria Dennard, Chair. Registration volunteers included Cora Williams, Peggy Thomas, Mary Russell, Ellen Spencer, Charletta Sheehy, Annie Mary Gray, and Louvenia Cain. Bill Henry of Pzzazz Studio was tournament photographer.
Birmingham students interested in applying for a scholarship to Stillman College may contact Gloria Dennard at 205-925-9373 or Stillman College Financial Aid Office at 205-366-8950.
