A Golf Tournament for Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club Projects
By Valerie Macon
Bentwinds Golf and Country Club has a rich history of hosting golf tournaments, including women’s events, dating back to 1977. However, May 2024 marked a significant milestone with their first ever all-women’s fundraising golf tournament, hosted by the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club (FVWC). The proceeds from this successful event, which netted over $20,000, went toward funding their many noble causes — a long list of service projects encompassing scholarships for local students; addressing food insecurity; supporting domestic violence and sexual violence prevention programs; advocating for animal welfare; promoting environmental causes; fostering civic engagement; and advancing the arts, education, and health within the community.
Following the success of their inaugural event, the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club is thrilled to announce the second annual Women Fore Women golf tournament, scheduled for May 19, 2025, at Bentwinds Golf and Country Club in Fuquay-Varina.
To gain deeper insight into this year’s tournament, I spoke with key organizers: Ruth Olive, FVWC president; Valerie Seymour, FVWC vice president; Fran Carroll, chairperson of ways and means (fundraising); and Evelyn Walters, director of golf at Bentwinds. As with the previous year, proceeds from this year’s tournament will directly support the Club’s community outreach programs, benefiting areas encompassing the arts, education, environment, civic engagement, health and wellness, and other charitable organizations and causes championed by the Woman’s Club.
The planners agree on one thing: This year’s tournament promises to be even more fun than last year’s, if that’s possible! As in the previous year, local celebrities will appear as guest speakers and as participants in the ceremonies. A variety of exciting activities await players to add to the fun. There will be gifts, contests, a silent auction, and prizes. There is even an opportunity to win $10,000, or a cruise, in the highly coveted hole-in-one contest.
Purple is the theme color of Women Fore Women, as it symbolizes a range of important causes deeply connected to the organization. These include animal advocacy, cancer prevention, dementia awareness, domestic abuse prevention and support, sexual assault prevention and advocacy, and honoring the women’s suffrage movement. (The first monument dedicated to the women’s suffrage movement is planned to be constructed and placed on the National Mall in Washington DC.) Participants in the tournament are encouraged to embrace the theme by wearing purple. In fact, a special contest will award the best-dressed individual in purple attire.
Players will enjoy a grab-and-go breakfast before teeing off. And this year, box lunches will be delivered directly to players on the course allowing them to enjoy their meals sitting in their carts and continuing their game uninterrupted. To ensure refreshments throughout the day, a dedicated drink cart will circulate, providing a steady supply of drinks and snacks to keep players refreshed and energized.
The game will be played in a scramble format, a team-based approach where all players hit their shots, and the best ball is chosen. Each player on the team tees off, then all players choose the best shot, and everyone plays their second shot from that spot, continuing until the ball is holed out. This format ensures a quicker pace of play and supports a fun and inclusive atmosphere. It is particularly well-suited for this event given the diverse skill levels among participants. Some may be first-time golfers, and this format will help them feel comfortable and engaged. To keep a smooth flow and allow for enjoyment of post-play activities, a largest-score-per-hole play will be implemented.
Right now, the entire club is actively engaged in getting the word out to the community about the tournament, seeking player participation, and securing support from silent auction donors and sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels ranging from $100 to $3,000. All sponsors will receive recognition on the event banner, in the tournament brochure, and on the club’s website and social media platforms.
There are many ways to contribute to the success of this event. Whether you lend a hand in the lead-up to the event, volunteer on the day of the tournament, or help with setup, your involvement is invaluable. Regardless of your chosen level of participation, one thing is certain: The outcome will be fun.
This year, the Woman’s Club aims to achieve a full field of 144 players, making up 36 teams. A full turnout is projected to generate $25,000 in proceeds to be reinvested into community outreach programs. The participation fee is $125 per golfer, which includes the greens fee and cart rental, a convenient grab-and-go breakfast, a delicious boxed lunch delivered during play, refreshing course treats, and a welcome golfer gift bag.
The Farmer’s Almanac predicts perfect weather, so save the date for a full day of fun for a good cause:
Women Fore Women Golf Tournament
May 19, 2025
Bentwinds Golf and Country Club in Fuquay-Varina
Information and forms for players and sponsorships can be found on the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club website at https: fuquayvarinawomansclub.org.
For questions, email: fvwc@fuquayvarinawomansclub.org.
Link to Eventbrite: https://Women-Fore-Women.eventbrite.com
