Published: February 08, 2006 02:50 pm      

Tournament raises $25,000 for youth

10th anniversary for Ernest Biles Memorial Golf Tournament

Every year for the past 10 years, golfers have swung into action to raise funds for the youth of Butts County via the Ernest Biles Memorial Golf Tournament.

The event, held at the Hickory Hill Golf Club, is organized by Bob Ryan of Atlanta South 75 Travel Plaza and named in honor of longtime Parks and Recreation Department Director Ernest Biles.

Last year’s tournament raised $25,670. In the last decade, the tournament has generated $142,381. All proceeds from the tournament are donated to the Butts County Parks & Recreations Department for use in providing recreational opportunities for the youth of this community.

The department places these funds in a reserved account and uses them to enhance youth programs by providing registration scholarships where they are needed to insure that all youth have opportunities to participate. The funds also help provide sports equipment and training aids to enhance activities, sports clinics for youth and volunteer coaches to enhance learning, and training and recognition for the many volunteers working in the youth recreational programs.

During 2005, proceeds from the 2004 Ernest Biles Memorial Golf Tournament were used for scholarships ($6,662), volunteer training and recognition ($4,537), sports clinics ($3,072), and equipment ($4,350). The scholarship allowed 91 young people to participate in six different sports. Equipment purchased included two pitching machines, a hydration station, portable basketball goals and scheduling software.

“All the money raised by this tournament goes to enhance opportunities at the recreation department,” said Bob Ryan, owner of Atlanta South 75 Travel Plaza. “Most importantly, it makes sure no child who wants to play is left out.”

“On behalf of all the youth participating in parks and recreation programs, we want to thank Bob Ryan, his family, Atlanta South employees, Allen Byars and Hickory Hill Golf Club and the golfers, sponsors and contributors to the tournament for their support of youth recreational activities,” said Jim Herbert, Director of the Butts County Parks & Recreation Department. “The gift of their time and resources will have an impact on hundreds of our community’s youth and play a part in creating thousands of childhood memories that will last a lifetime.”

“We have a motto at Atlanta South – ‘together we build’,” said Ryan. “We treat everybody the way we’d want to be treated. It’s a great family here, and I’m proud of the entire staff’s effort for the tournament each year.”