Come Rain or Shine: UVA Wise Spirit Swinging Strong at 29th Annual Golf Tournament

More than 100 friends and supporters came out to have a good time for a great cause—the UVA Wise Alumni Association’s annual fundraiser.

A brief downpour of rain didn’t dampen the day of fellowship and fun for 25 teams participating in the 29th Annual Community Spring Swing Golf Tournament. All proceeds raised go to the Alumni Association to host engagement events throughout the year.

This year’s golf tournament was held on Friday, April 19, at the 18-hole course at the Lonesome Pine Country Club situated in Powell Valley with scenic views of the surrounding mountains. 

“Your support of this tournament helps the Alumni Association host events and activities that strengthen the bonds between our alumni and students, who benefit from their generous support. We are so grateful for the Alumni Association for their unwavering support of UVA Wise,” said UVA Wise Chancellor Donna P. Henry.

Ballad Health served as the 2024 major sponsor of the golf fundraiser. Junior sponsors included Hunt Commercial Properties Group, Foundever, Powell Valley National Bank and Rebirth Advanced Healing.

“I enjoy getting out and the fellowship with the community and with the College. We try to bring some Ballad representatives out here and support the College and have a little fun,” said Shannon Showalter, vice president and chief executive officer for Ballad Health Operations in Wise, Lee and Dickenson counties.

He also shared his appreciation for the strong partnership with UVA Wise. 

“It's really important that we're educating our future health care workforce. And that's one of the things that we're really focused on is building back our workforce after Covid. It's great to see that the College is investing in the programs that we need for nurses,” Showalter said. “The newly renovated facility will attract people to the area, to the program, and we're hoping they'll stick around and work for Ballad as well.”

Swing Chair Fran Hunt ’80 whose business, Hunt Commercial Properties Group, is an annual junior corporate sponsor for the event came all the way from Newport News.

“I enjoy being part of the representation from the eastern part of the state and try to bring classmates when we can. It’s always special to come back and to see how the College has grown,” said Hunt, who serves on the Alumni Association board and the College Board. “I like to see the inner workings of what's going on and what's coming.”

UVA Wise alumnus Brian Falin ’99 who serves as industrial development supervisor for Wise County, played on a team with several co-workers and his brother, Jason, also a UVA Wise alumnus. 

“This brings alumni together and it continues to build camaraderie. This College is a special place to all of us. I think events like this are important to keep alumni engaged,” Falin said. “The fundraising element is important and allows the Alumni Association to continue doing their work and it’s a lot of fun. 

Valeri Colyer ’83, who also serves on the Alumni Association Board and the College Board and is the director for human resources for Ballad Health for Wise, Dickenson and Lee counties said it’s the long-standing history of the golf fundraiser that makes it so special.

“I think it's probably one of the longest running sponsored events, probably from the College's perspective and definitely from the hospitals’. It's good to see folks that I graduated with or that I've had a relationship with over the years,” said Colyer, who played on Ballad’s team. “It's just a really good, community-based event. It's good for the College. It's good for the health system. We just enjoy the relationship and enjoy getting out.” 

Some attendees even came from Virginia Beach and as far away as Alabama. 

Sarge Dickenson ’72, who graduated from then-Clinch Valley College after he got out of the U. S. Marine Corps, said he loves coming back year after year.

“It’s great seeing old friends and being back in the area,” said Dickenson, who lives in Fort Payne, Alabama.

Bob Sage ’79, who works as a retention specialist for an online marketing company, traveled from Virginia Beach to attend the golf tourney.

“I try to make a point of coming back a couple of times a year. It’s really great to come back and hang out with some of the folks I went to school with and see how the College has developed over the years. It’s really exciting to do,” said Sage, who serves on the Alumni Association board. 

Johnson City resident Trey Stapleton ’06 said he’s played the tournament multiple times over the years.

“It’s a really unique event. I love it because I get to come home and see everyone,” said Stapleton, the founder of Rebirth Advanced Healing, a mobile wound concierge company which is a junior sponsor of the event. “We are trying to give back to the local community and show we are here to take care of them.”

Lonesome Pine Golf Club General Manager Chris Stacy said he looks forward to hosting the event each year.

“A lot of the same people play in this event every year. It's good to see their faces. They come from all over, and they have a good time. They turn it into a reunion event for alumni,” Stacy said. 

“I think it’s a good thing to support the College. It’s a big part of fundraising. It’s a great group of guys, and we always have a great time,” said Food City Store Manager Henry Maggard. “I think Food City and UVA Wise make up a big part of our community. It’s a great partnership to be part of, the folks are great, and we’ve got to support each other if we are going to be successful.”

Additional sponsors included CSE Agency of Hilb Group Mid-Atlantic, Morgan McClure Chevrolet GMC of Castlewood, VA, LENOWISCO, Pepsi Cola of Norton, Aire Serv of Wise, Food City, Snyder Nursing Home, WAXM 93.5, Oliver Coal Sales, Crutchfield, Lawson Water, Earthlink, Engineering Services, Bob Sage, Mountain Rose Vineyard, Miners Exchange Bank, Thompson & Litton, Three Wise Women, First Bank & Trust Company, Lake Street Secure Self Storage, Wise County IDA, Fortitude Construction and Restoration, Edward Jones, Double Kwik, Raven Rock Golf Course, Scott & Rhonda Perkins, Pedro Hunnicutt, and The Country Club of Fairfax.

Spring Swing Championship Flight Winners for first place were Brad Moore, Luke Lawson, Tyler Courtney, Gary Moore. 

Second place winners were Matt Branham, Jordan Turner, Israel McAfee, and Chris Mullins. 

Third place winners were Jason Compton, Clayton Compton, Ritchie Deel, Nathan O’Quinn.

First Flight first place winners are James Lawson, James Colley Mike Owens and Rick Colley. 

Second place winners are Parker Gemmell, Charlie Gemmell, Jason Cunningham and Joey Fields. 

Third place are Henry Maggard, Bill Barker, Paxton Wright and David Scearce.

Second Flight first place winners are Rick Galyean, Andy Cox, Jeff Cantrell and Mack Shupe. 

Second place are Sarge Dickenson, Jim Cobaugh, Fred Fansler and Doug Collier. 

Third place winners are Jason Scott, Todd Barnette, Wendell Barnette and Andy Scott.