NEWSOMS
The Newsoms Athletic Association has been enriched by $1,700, courtesy of the Newsoms Golf Association. The latter presented an oversized check during the inaugural awards banquet in the Newsoms Ruritan Clubhouse on Saturday evening.

Pete Fowler, who is leading the NGA, also began the organization earlier this year.

He started developing the idea last September, and after “beating the idea around in my head,” got it all going in March and April. Letters were sent to prospective players.

Four tournaments were formed, one each at Cypress Cove in Franklin, Beechwood and Valley Pine, both in North Carolina, and Sleepy Hole in Suffolk.

The 37 members on the NGA voted to donate 100 percent of the money to a non-profit, and all agreed on the NAA for this inaugural program.

A little under $1,000 was raised from the games, and additional monies contributed that night took the amount notably higher. The money will be used for equipment and maintenance purposes.

Hunter Rountree, 15, received the trophy for his performance. In the very last round of the last day, he scored a 77.

“I was not expecting to win,” he said.

The teen credits his father, Brian Rountree, for introducing him to the game four years ago. Hunter also plays for the Southampton High School golf team. He’ll be playing in a regional tournament in Petersburg on Thursday.

Fowler said about his own performance as “pretty good,” coming in at third. Randy Vann was at second, and Andrew Brown and Travis Vann tied for fourth place.