Future Generations Tournament at Caledonia Benefits The First Tee
As The First Tee of Coastal Carolinas (TFTCC) prepared Tuesday to kick off the seventh edition of its Future Generations Tournament, event hosts Charlie Rymer and Kelly Tilghman sat down with TFTCC Executive Director Rich Abraham to discuss the impact the event has on helping youth through the game of golf.
Charlie Rymer:
Charlie Rymer here, pleased to be along with hometown heroine, Kelly Tilghman, the pride of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Rich Abraham, the Executive Director of First Tee Coastal Carolinas. And guys, it’s a lot of fun for me to come here every year. This is our sixth time coming here, Kelly, for you and I. Seventh year for this event here at Caledonia, the Future Generations.
Rich, it’s really cool to see this entire golf industry come together for this day every year. It raises a lot of money, but tell us just how important that funding has been to your organization over the years.
Rich Abraham:
Oh, gosh. We’ve raised over $200,000. Probably closer to $250,000 over that period of time. I think it actually allowed the … Five years ago it allowed the First Tee of Brunswick County to hire me. So I guess I owe everything!
Kelly Tilghman:
I remember that year well.
Charlie Rymer:
(Joking) So, not all that money has been well spent!
Rich Abraham:
Yeah. Well, but you know, here we are. I think it’s allowed us, and the golf industry’s been great at keeping us alive while we developed the kids. And what you guys will get to see today are kind of the same kids that have been coming for three, four, five years-
Kelly Tilghman:
We’ve watched them grow up.
Rich Abraham:
You have, and grow up they have.
Kelly Tilghman:
Physically and mature as well.
Rich Abraham:
The maturity, some of these kids are going to be sophomores when they start college. I mean, they’re rock stars.
Kelly Tilghman:
You mentioned this is seven years of the tournament, but just six here now at Caledonia. What a tremendous spot. I mean, this golf course, this location is nationally recognized. It’s ranked among the top 100 in the nation for all it has to offer. What a privilege is it to this organization to be able to play here!
Rich Abraham:
It is one of the greatest places on the planet. And to be able to have this golf course donated to us and then have the support of the industry to create a high value event where we just make a lot of money on the event every year.
Kelly Tilghman:
This tournament sells out … or it seems like it sells out every year.
Rich Abraham:
This will be the fourth year of selling out. I don’t open it wide open. It’s got a great reputation. I’d say it’s a combination of everybody wants to play Caledonia, and the kids. Again, playing probably better than a Pro-Am because everybody’s excited to see these kids again.
Kelly Tilghman:
I love too, Charlie, that it’s a very relaxed setting here. That’s what we want children when they come and play the game, and adults when they come and play the game, to feel as relaxed and not stressed out by the game of golf. You couldn’t find a better venue for that.
Rich Abraham:
No. When you come down the entrance way in the Caledonia, which I think is one of the best entrances all in golf. It certainly goes toe to toe with Magnolia Lane and Augusta National. All that stress just flies out the window. And the fact that the ownership group here at Caledonia, whenever there’s great need in the community, they’re the first ones to raise their hand and say, “We’ll help.” It’s something that I know that all of us in particular appreciate.
Charlie Rymer:
Rich, we appreciate your efforts and we know that’s making a big difference. Thank you very much.
Rich Abraham:
Thank you guys.
Kelly Tilghman:
Thanks, Rich, so much.
Rich Abraham:
It’s been awesome.
Kelly Tilghman:
Of course.
