Taking the magnolia-lined drive to Savannah Golf Club, I arrive at the oldest golf club in America to attend Abilities Unlimited’s Rhonda M. Langford Memorial Golf Tournament.
A SGC staff member offers me a ride to the patio / tournament headquarters Chris Marbrey. In three minutes, I learn that the Ohio native loves Goldendoodle dogs, has eight children, and has the personality of most of the SGC team: genuine hospitality.
I drop off at the check-in desk, pass an open grill wafting with smoke from freshly cooked burgers, and giggle when I see Abilities Unlimited Community Outreach Director Pennie Lightfoot grab some lipstick when she sees me. Knowing that Pennie’s commitment is to empower those in need, I have spent the past nine years following her crusade at the Anderson Cohen Weightlifting Center in Chatham County on Varnadoe Drive.
Another reason I’m so excited to attend everything Abilities Unlimited does is stand in front of me. Mac McCuen smiles at me so hard that I put down my notebook and walk over to give this special Olympic champion my best hug of the day.
After a group hug from Mac surrounded by Pennie, Stacie Alexander and Lindsey Cowart, I sat down quietly to pause Abilities Unlimited board member and golf chairman Terry Coleman. Savannah is lucky enough to have personalities we love like Terry and Cliff McCurry, Brynn Grant and John Davis.
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Calm but always smiling, a life of faith and just one of the classiest guys I’ve met, Terry not only financially supports this uniquely other nonprofit, he makes phone calls and gets people like Boyce Young and its Hutson Plumbing Co. to appear!
Boyce might be one of the best looking plumbers I’ve ever seen and he may have more hobbies than I do! The pilot likes boating, golf and woodworking, does not dislike the camera and easily poses Steve Crout, Brad Hunter and Lynn Moody.
After a photo of these happy guys, I rush to get Abilities Unlimited board members Lyn McCuen and Beth Vickers to pose with Ed Wilson, then take a snack break to chat at the Savannah Golf Club Kenneth Lawton. I’m not sure how many decades this guy has been here, but knowing that the ‘roller skates, sports fan who likes to see people happy’ will be here is one of the reasons I love coming to this historic club.
Leaving the catering director behind Reagan hood and Jennifer Stephens, I met 6’3 ”Savannahian John Chennault-Wright. The personal trainer tells me, “I like people who want to help themselves” when I see a birthday girl Kinzie Hancock arriving with her mother, Karen.
Celebrating 26 years of fabulousness, Kinzie tells me she still works at Bitty & Beau’s and Polka Dots before I head out to meet my most talkative golfer of the day. Wells Fargo Advisers Harry Moore, a Savannah High School graduate who introduces me to Tybee Island accountant Alfie White, retired firefighter Skip Ferguson and retired pharmacist Alan Cody.
Ask me, ‘Do you have the The Magic of Thinking Big ‘by David Schwartz‘? He says hard work makes people happy, that’s me! “I totally get this man! After 42 years of investing, this 76-year-old has no plans to slow down!
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It’s a perfect day to play golf. Sunny, cool with a light breeze, I lift up to the dozens of golf carts and meet baritone strong Brad Hunter. The Front Door Produce guy asks me if I’ve heard of them. Umm yes! This is the first time I have met someone from one of the largest farms in the country.
With money raised today to help existing clients continue their adaptive exercise program, this 18-year-old nonprofit is changing the lives of people with disabilities and those suffering unexpected tragedies. I wish you could see them help a stroke patient to learn to walk again, a gunshot victim to regain vitality, or a victim of a car accident to start driving again.
With plans to attend Lawyers, Guns and Money Sporting Clays, their biggest fundraiser of the year was held on October 22 at Forest City Gun ClubI am proud to leave knowing that this small but mighty champion champion has weathered the pandemic and continues to change lives, training for training.
Visit Facebook to learn more about Abilities Unlimited AbilitiesUnlimitedInc.
During these events, when people wear face masks I suggest they remove the mask, I quickly take the picture and they put the face mask back on.
Invite Bunny to your meeting, gala or other social event. Contact Bunny at 912-844-1122 or send an email to [email protected]. See more columns from Bunny Ware at SavannahNow.com/Lifestyle/.
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