By Steve Steiner
Managing editor
ssteiner@elkintribune.com

Golfers are a hardy breed, and unless there is the threat of lightning, there is little that will stop an enthusiast. Couple that with a charity tournament -- the third annual Elkin Rescue Squad -- and try stopping anyone from playing a round of golf in less than ideal conditions.

"Everyone has been a trooper, and have stuck it out with us," said Sally Bryant-Whitaker. "The turnout has been great."

Bryant-Whitaker is the station manger with WIFM -100.9, Elkin's local radio station, and a major sponsor of the event.

While she was taking care of some last-minute concerns, another volunteer, Ted Creed, with the Neighbors convenience store chain, was hard at work with other volunteers, many of them Elkin Rescue Squad members, getting canned and bottled beverages packed into coolers packed with ice.

Creed said that Neighbors was pleased to be a sponsor of the event and that the company looked forward to a continued association.

Meanwhile, inside the Cedar Brook County Club clubhouse, Neil Moss and his crew were hard at work setting up the buffet luncheon. Moss, who joined the country club as its head chef slightly more than two months ago, has been quite busy.

"This is the fourth big tournament since coming on board two months ago," he said.

The quick, smooth way in which the set-up was being handled seemed to indicate that Moss had matters well in control in his department.

Justin Bowers, assistant chief of the Elkin Rescue Squad, was grateful for the turnout and overall community support. He was also elated at the golf tournament's continued success.

"We were looking for a new twist of fundraising, one that could become an annual event," Bowers said. "In the past, we had tried other projects, such as magic shows, gospel shows, chicken dinners, but after awhile, interest and support faded. The golf tournament is still going strong."

Bowers was quick to note that funds raised go toward specific goals and does not "sit" in a general fund.

"For one thing, it allows us to buy specialized equipment and training," he said. "One of these areas we've trained is flood and swift water rescue and equipment."

Goals for this year include updating its hydraulic rescue tool (better known as the Jaws of Life). Another is the repeater project. It's a state-of-the-art communications system that will be used wholly within the rescue squad. One advantage is that it boosts the power and ability for communicating among rescue squad volunteers.

Very little of the money raised in the golf tournament goes toward expenses.

"The large percentage goes back into the fund," Bowers said.

That includes the tournament itself.

"There have been large amounts of goods and services donated," said Bryant-Whitaker. "In fact, all but club cost (the cost to play a round of golf) and meals."

According to Bryant-Whitaker, this year's event had more than 60 team sponsors and more than 70 hole sponsors. Other businesses chose to be par sponsors, hole-in-one sponsors, beverage cart sponsors and friends of the squad.

About Elkin Rescue Squad

Elkin Rescue Squad is the second oldest squad in North Carolina, and the third oldest in the United States. It responds to calls involving auto accidents, water rescue, high angle rescue, and serach and rescue. It also first responds with Surry County EMS. In addition to covering Elkin, the squad also covers portions of Wilkes County, and also covers Thurmond, Poplar Springs and State Road.