Golfers turned out early on the warm, sunny and breezy Saturday morning of April 25, 2009 for the 2nd Annual Ida Ballard Simon Golf Tournament in Memphis, Tennessee. The event was held to highlight the success of this year’s fundraising efforts benefiting the Ida Ballard Simon Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Event Planners Cheryl Ballard and Linda Ballard Peete presented Lincoln University Foundation: Ida Ballard Simon Memorial Scholarship Fund of Jefferson City, Missouri with a check for seven thousand dollars. “We are contributing to this endowment fund with the goal to someday provide a student with a full four-year scholarship to attend Ida’s alma mater, Lincoln University,” said Cheryl Ballard. “We are also contributing a $500 dollar book scholarship to a 2009 City of Memphis Public School graduating senior with plans to attend a historically black college or trade school for the 2009-2010 school year,” Cheryl added.

Teams began checking in around 7 a.m. at the Riverside King Golf Course. Players were treated to a continental breakfast before taking to the course around 8:15. Eleven teams competed for the championship trophy while volunteers and friends listened to rhythm and blues music and played card games on the clubhouse deck.

While waiting for the teams to finish their rounds, organizers set up tables on the deck for the luncheon and the Ballard family posed for a photo taken by Lincoln University Interim Vice President for Advancement Benecia Williams. “To Ida!” they all exclaimed with beaming smiles as they held posters of Ida and the names of this year’s sponsors.

The tournament honors the Ballards’ beloved sister and aunt, the late Ida Ballard Simon, former graduate and Vice President for Advancement at Lincoln University. Ida was a successful fundraiser who also organized celebrity golf tournaments benefiting historically black colleges and universities.

After completing 18 holes, each team made its way back to the clubhouse for lunch and a raffle. Odom and Company sneaked by Rafferty’s Team to capture the 2009 Tournament Championship Trophy. Both teams scored -13 with Odom and Company winning at the 6th hole counting 18 back. Greg Odom won the first place trophy for the Longest Drive followed by Ervin Smith, both with 295 yards. The Closest to the Pin winner was Shane Hussey (8 feet).

The big raffle winners were:
Rangefinder – Lafayette Johnson
Golf bag – Jabbar Smith
Golf Club – Jerry Williams
Auto Putting System – Chase Hussey
Golf Balls – Gerald Harts

At this year’s luncheon, the best card-playing teams were also awarded trophies. The first place trophy went to Earlean Morgan and Mary Miller. Theresa Perkins and Benecia Williams won second place trophy and third place went to Jacquelyn Ballard and Roselyn Yates.
 

Tournament results are as follows:

2009 Sponsors of the Ida Ballard Simon Memorial Golf Tournament

 
PLATINUM SPONSORS – The Telein Group, Inc. and The Ballard Family

GOLD SPONSORS – Dr. Sharonda Peete and Henry & Linda Helm

SILVER SPONSORS – Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and Memphis Firefighters Assoc.

BRONZE SPONSOR – Victor & Pamela Pasley

Honorary Guests – Benecia Williams, Roy Cheatum, Michelle Hussey, Coach Robert Crawford and Coach William Woodruff

BEVERAGE SPONSORS – Memphis Light Gas & Water and D Canale Beverages

BREAKFAST SPONSORS – Mary Miller and Ashley Landers & Earolyn