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Hernando Today

Hitting The Links To Help Hospice

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By TONY HOLT

Published: May 17, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - A golf tournament that once raised $800 to $1,000 for local scholarships had been a regular endeavor for 35 years.

Presenting an $11,000 check to a local hospice center is much more gratifying.

So after 35 years of hosting the Tangerine Invitational to help junior golfers become grown-up golfers, it was time for the Brooksville Country Club to raise the stakes.

"This year, what (we) were looking to do was revamp and have an impact on a local charity," said Vince Buelk, the club's director of golf.

This year, the tournament simply is known as Brooksville Country Club's Amateur Invitational.Charity

The course's 12th, 13th, 14th and 17th holes run through a rock quarry. The scenery is unique to any other golf course in the country, he said. That alone is going to attract a crowd.

Every year, scads of golfers — from college students to seniors — would participate in the Tangerine Invitational. It is one of the longest-running male amateur tournaments in the region.

The cause made it even more attractive this year. This weekend, 91 golfers are teeing off for Hernando-Pasco Hospice. The $11,000 check was presented to the center's volunteers during an awards dinner Saturday night.

"Hospice is a great organization," said Lorraine LiVecchi, whose mother was under the center's care. "Since being a volunteer, I've been amazed at how many people benefit from hospice services."

Jerry Sheffield, who serves on the country club's committee and was one of the 91 golfers Saturday, said the group thought it was time to raise money for a worthy cause. The committee is unsure whether to choose a new charity each year or stay with Hernando-Pasco Hospice. Either way, he hopes it draws larger crowds in the future.

"We hope it grows to become a big tournament in Central Florida," he said.

Buelk said the success of the Tangerine Invitational guarantees there will be a large pool of golfers every year. It had always been something circled on the calendar months in advance. The club spends a lot of time planning for it.

"Most of these golfers have played it before," he said. "We run a first-class event. We also picked a good charity."

The title sponsors of the amateur tournament are Wal-Mart and CEMEX, which donated $2,500 each.

The Tampa Tribune, TBF Enterprises, Bray's Pest Control, Archer Painting, Accuform, Rinker and Register Chevrolet are the major sponsors.

The weekend event also included a shoot out and an awards banquet Saturday. The 36-hole tournament will continue from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.

The winners will be listed in Monday's Hernando Today.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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