SHELBY — Intermittent rain showers couldn’t halt more than 30 teams of golfers Thursday afternoon at Shelby Crossing.
Thursday marked the 20th anniversary of the Ralph Phillips Memorial Charity Golf Tournament. The event — located at Shelby Crossing, 3885 Laser Road — is organized by the Phillips Family Foundation and sponsored by Phillips Tube Group, Inc.
In 1967, the late Ralph Phillips opened a machine shop — initially named Phillips Welding and Machine — on the outskirts of Shelby, according to the company’s website. His daughter, Angela Phillips, became CEO in 2009.
Ralph created the Phillips Family Foundation in 1999 to support not only the Shelby community, but other areas as well.
“Ralph Phillips was a big supporter of local youth in north central Ohio and this tournament benefits Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, and Junior Achievement in his honor,” said Molly Shoults, executive assistant at Phillips Tube Group.
Shoults said 32 teams registered for Thursday’s tournament, marking the largest turnout in the event’s 20-year history. More than 30 local sponsors — also a new high — helped support this year’s tournament through donations, sponsorships, goods and services.
“Many of our golfers have been participating in the tournament for many years,” Shoults said. “It’s fun to see them return year after year.”
Golfers participate in the 20th annual Ralph Phillips Memorial Charity Golf Tournament at Shelby Crossing. Credit: Hayden Gray
Ralph believed in ‘investing in the youth’
Angela said it’s been great to watch the event grow over the past two decades.
Several vendors and customers of Phillips Tube Group participate in the tournament, including those from different states, she said.
“It was nice to see the 20th be our record year,” Angela said. “We’ve had a record turnout this year and record number of sponsorships, which is really nice.”
The steel tube manufacturer currently operates in four locations, including Shelby, two locations in Middletown and Richmond, Indiana.
Phillips Tube Group CEO Angela Phillips speaks at Shelby Crossing on Thursday afternoon. Credit: Hayden Gray
Angela’s father believed strongly in investing in the youth within the communities Phillips Tube Group operates, she said.
“We continue to do that as one of our mandatory types of giving that we do each year and making sure that this tournament continues just helps that along,” she said.
Junior Achievements expansion in Richland and Ashland counties is a great opportunity to expose more kids to the concepts of economy and business, Angela said.
Helping local youth understand entrepreneurship may inspire them to become their own business owners, like her father, she added.
“We’re just excited to have them each year be a part of it and be a part of their growth and successes and continue to hopefully help children throughout the area as we go on,” Angela said.
(Below are photos from Thursday’s 20th annual Ralph Phillips Memorial Charity Golf Tournament at Shelby Crossing.)
Community investment made this reporting happen. Independent, local news in Shelby and Northern Richland County is brought to you in part by the generous support of Phillips Tube Group, R.S. Hanline, ArcelorMittal, Lloyd Rebar, Hess Industries, and Shelby Printing.
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