More than 50 participants braved the weather at the Alpine Resort Golf Course to raise funds for the Get Moving! Day of Play, a nonprofit organization founded by Elizabeth Oppe to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles for children in the Mountain State.
The annual Day of Play invites children ages 4 to 12 to socialize and exercise with current and former Mountaineer student-athletes while learning about the importance of health and fitness.
The Mountaineer mascot and 12 Mountaineer football players were among the field competitors who joined the action contributing their time and golf talent to the event.
Trevor Lewis, Brian Reams, Nate Haskiell and Tom Shaffer won the men’s division and Mackenzy Winegardner, Brady Merrick, Zach Wesolowsk and Jason Finch took the mixed division.
A longest drive competition on a par 5 and a closest-to-the-pin challenge on a par 3 were held on separate holes. Payton Hildebrand recorded the men’s longest drive and Kristen Clovis recorded the women’s longest drive. Additionally, Steve Zirbs won closest to the pin.
At the end of the competition, Oppe and her Reed College of Creative Arts and Media student team, consisting of Hannah Cutright, Maggie Hurst, Ashlyn Knight and Sophia Putnam, extended their gratitude to the participants, facilities staff and golf pro Caleb Hagelberger.
Andrew Hartlove, a sports and adventure media major and student photographer captured the event.
Notable donors included The Health Plan, Vandalia Health, EMCOR Services and West Virginia Valley Gastroenterology. Hole sponsors included Garrett College, Stefanie Hurst, Red Creek Construction, McNeely Realty Group, Community Care of West Virginia, Bowles Rice and Engineered Foundation Solutions. Product and silent auction sponsors included Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration, The Turn, Coal County Mini Golf and Red Bull.
Plans for next year’s tournament are already underway with promises of bigger, better festivities and more suitable weather.