SOPHISTICATED GENTS & AFRICAN AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP GOLF SCHOLARSHIP TOURNAMENT BY NIKKI HOFFMAN

If you happen to stop by the Golden Corral on the first Wednesday of the month, you may meet up with the Sophisticated Gents of Florida. The Gents group is a non-profit organization within our local tri-county area. The club was formed in 2005 and now boasts over 130 members. Many are retired professionals of various backgrounds who have relocated from all parts of the country.

Vernon Haley is the president and explains that the club has a “keen interest in community outreach, educational and emotional fellowship.” Fellowship and brotherhood are welcomed from any ethnic group with shared values.

Members volunteer to support a range of local programs, including Adopt-A-Highway, election poll work, student mentoring, and other events that support education or promote community service.

One of the club’s missions is focused on uplifting youth from low-income communities. Middle and high school students are mentored and encouraged to graduate and realize their dreams of a brighter future. Coupled with The African American Club of The Villages, over $341,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 238 local students pursuing higher education over the past ten years.

On Saturday, November 4, the Sophisticated Gents of Florida and The African American Club of the Villages welcome the public to a very special golf tournament at Harbor Hills Country Club. The proceeds of the Friendship Scholarship Golf Tournament will support scholarships for selected high school seniors in Sumter, Lake and Marion. The format is a four-person scramble with a shotgun start at 8:15 a.m.  The $100 fee per golfer includes cart, green fees, lunch, prizes and more. A lunch-only ticket is also available for $35. To participate or sponsor, contact Chair Patrice Fisher at 513-379-0993 or Co-chair Ken Fisher at 513-379-0992. Visit www.sophisticatedgentsfl.org for more details.