From STAFF REPORTS

AMERICUS – A group of former Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) baseball players known as the “Letterman’s Club” is planning a golf tournament on Friday, March 31 to benefit GSW baseball. The tourney will be held at the Griffin Bell Golf Course in Americus and will tee off at 11 a.m., with a barbecue to follow the round.
This tournament is the Letterman’s Club’s first major fundraising event. It will feature a four-man scramble format, and player entry will be available at the following levels:
• $1,000 – Gold Sponsor: Four Players, includes one-hole sponsorship
• $500 – Silver Sponsor: Two players, includes one-hole sponsorship
• $250 – Bronze Sponsor: One player, includes one-hole sponsorship
Individual hole sponsorships can be purchased for $100.
The Letterman’s Club, led by baseball alumnus, David Bales, initiated their first solicitation by mail last year and raised nearly $7,000 for the Letterman’s Club Fund at the GSW Foundation.
According to Bales, the initiative began roughly four years ago, when fellow GSW baseball alumnus, Al Bonagura, started planning baseball reunions for teams from the 1970s. As former teammates began reuniting, plans took shape to support the program in a formal way.
“A couple of years ago, we decided that we needed to do something to help the University in regards to baseball scholarships,” said Bales. “So, last year, I was chosen to head the organization – the Georgia Southwestern Letterman’s Club.”
“Our objective is to raise money for the baseball program, so they can provide more scholarships to quality student athletes,” said Bales while stating that funds from their first direct mail campaign helped sign a player on this year’s team.
“We would like to do anything that we can to help Georgia Southwestern be more competitive,” he said. “A competitive athletics program may drive some future students to the University, in addition to athletes.”
The Letterman’s Club Golf Tournament Committee consists of the following former GSW baseball players: Bonagura, Bubber Birdsong, Ron Hudson, Ronnie Chaffin, Joey Sellers, Ronnie Culpepper, Eddie Owens, and Butch Watts.
On April 1, the day after the golf tournament, Bales, Al Bonagura, and members of the Letterman’s Club will present a symbolic check representing the tournament proceeds to GSW Baseball Coach, Bryan McLain, during the team’s double header with the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
Checks for the golf tournament or contributions to the Letterman’s Club Baseball Fund can be mailed to: GSW Foundation, PO Box 926, Americus, GA 31709. For additional information, call (229) 931-2014.