THE SOPHISTICATED GENTS FRIENDSHIP 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.Allen Jenkins is the president and explains that the club has a “keen interest in matters that affect communities of color.” Friendship and brotherhood are always welcomed from any ethnic group with shared values. Members volunteer to support in a range of local programs including election poll monitoring, student mentoring and other events which support civic organizations and schools.One of the club’s missions is focused on uplifting youth from underserved communities. 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 $280,000 in scholarships have been funded during an eight-year period.On Wednesday, October 19, 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 tournament format is a four-person scramble with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. The $100 donation per golfer includes cart, green fees, lunch, prizes and more. A lunch-only ticket is also available for $35. Registration deadline is October 5. To participate or sponsor, contact Chair Bill Munnerlyn at 614-330-8131 or Co-Chair Bill Davis at 719-332-6922. Visit www.sophisticatedgentsfl.org for more details.