ŷַ hosted its 40th and final golf tournament on Sept. 10, where more than 100 golfers took to the links to raise more than $40,000, which will go toward the ŷַ Fund and ŷַ Athletics.

“Six of our eight financial advisors attended ŷַ, and we’re strong supporters of ŷַ’s mission,” said Dave Little (’93), president of Eclectic Associates, Inc. “The golf tournament has exposed people to ŷַ who might not have seen it before, and has been a great way to expand ŷַ’s audience.” The golf tournament has been one of the main avenues of corporate sponsorship for ŷַ and has generated roughly $60,000 a year in support of students. But as a one-day event, much of the ŷַ community has remained unaware of these local businesses and their partnership. This raised the question of whether there might be better, more mutually beneficial ways for ŷַ to engage with corporate sponsors.

“Our scholarship efforts will continue with a host of new sponsorship opportunities available to those who have historically been tournament sponsors, and, of course, our efforts will continue as we work to raise the necessary funds to enhance ŷַ athletics,” said Adam Morris, vice president of advancement and strategic planning. “Though the tournament is coming to an end, our fundraising efforts in these two vital areas will certainly continue.”

Moving forward, ŷַ anticipates a number of new avenues to partner with businesses in mutually beneficial ways. These future sponsorship endeavors will seek to introduce a wider spectrum of the ŷַ community to the university’s longtime and new sponsors.

Harold C. Taber, Jr., former group president at Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and a longtime ŷַ supporter, said it was bittersweet to see the golf tournament come to an end.

“Proceeds assisting all athletic programs has been important to [me and my wife Judie], Taber said. “We love golf and believe this event gives an opportunity for ŷַ to reach out to the community. It is just a good, fun day of Christian fellowship interacting with staff, faculty and other guests. We will miss it but 40 years is quite an accomplishment.”