Golf tournament celebrating 30 years of helping West Georgia Hospice
Published 9:00 am Wednesday, August 6, 2025
HIT THE LINKS: The Ely Callaway golf tournament is held each year at Highland Country Club and benefits West Georgia Hospice. Spots are still available for the late September tournament. – Contributed | Daily News
Wellstar West Georgia Hospice is gearing up to host its annual Ely Callaway Golf Event. The tournament serves as a fundraiser for the hospice in LaGrange. The event is held at Highland Country Club and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
The unique event brings together local golfers with pros for two days filled with golf instruction, competition and fun.
“The cool thing is every team gets to have a professional golfer on their team,” said Sandy Melton, volunteer coordinator for West Georgia Hospice. “That’s part of the benefit. The pro will help our players with their swing or give them some golf tips. It’s just fun, friendly competition.”
The two-day event begins on Sunday, Sept. 28, with a forum with top golf instructors from across the state. The experts will discuss junior golf topics, answer questions and give advice to young golfers in the area.
“It’s for the young upstarts in golf. We’ve got several pros that will work with the kids and just give them tips on playing golf and how they’re holding their clubs,” Melton said.
The junior clinic is free for sponsors to bring their children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews, Melton said.
Later that day, the hospice will recognize its Ely Callaway Golf Tournament honoree. Each year the tournament recognizes an honoree for their efforts in the community. For the 30th anniversary, the tournament is recognizing all the hospice volunteers.
“We are pleased to honor our volunteers who faithfully and selflessly serve the patients, their families and staff at Wellstar West Georgia Hospice,” tournament organizers said.
The golf competition kicks off with the Bill Ayers Shoot-Out, which features Highland Country Club Champions and Georgia’s top PGA pros. In the event, players will be eliminated on each hole until only one remains, providing a good-natured challenge and fun until the last shot is made.
On Monday, Sept. 29, the regular tournament begins with morning and afternoon flights. Before the morning flight, the Around the World Putting Challenge is held on the 18th green, where tournament players will gather in a circle around the hole and each player putts at the same time. The player whose ball goes in the hole wins half the prize money, while the other half benefits West Georgia Hospice.
Prizes for the tournament include monetary awards. The hospice will also raffle donated items, including a three-night stay in Highlands, North Carolina, among others.
“The tickets are $25 each, and the prizes are pretty awesome,” Melton said.
Over the years, the tournament has typically raised over $100,000 annually.
“It’s our biggest fundraiser that we do all year for hospice,” Melton said.
The 30th annual Ely Callaway Golf Event benefiting West Georgia Hospice is set for Sept. 28-29 Highland Country Club in LaGrange.
For more information, visit wellstar.org/elycallawaygolfevent.
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