Britten Strong Golf Tournament returns for second year

As dozens of golfers prepare to tee off at the Black Mountain Golf Course at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, the final numbers on the scorecards will be far from the most important outcome of the day. 

The Britten Strong Golf Tournament will return at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11 for its second year, and the proceeds will support the Montreat College track and field coach who was seriously injured in a collision in the center of town in February of 2017. 

The tournament attracted 115 golfers in its inaugural year last April when it raised around $25,000. This year, the tournament’s organizer, Keller Williams Black Mountain real estate agent Eddie Colley, moved it to the fall. 

“There are a few local events throughout the year that support the Olinger family,” he said. “We thought that holding a golf tournament in the fall would be perfect timing.”

Teams of four will face off in the event, which is sponsored by several area businesses. An auction featuring items donated by the sponsors will take place following the four-person captain’s choice tournament. 

Proceeds will benefit the family of Olinger, who was left partially paralyzed when the vehicle he was driving was struck by a driver traveling at speeds over 100 miles per hour. 

“The community has been very supportive of Britten and his family since the crash,” Colley said. “That support will be needed for years to come, and this tournament is a way to keep that going.”

Registration for the Britten Strong Golf Tournament is $75 per person and $300 per team. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. 

For more information go to the Britten Strong Golf Tournament Facebook page.