CBC SPOUSES GOLF AND TENNIS SCHOLARSHIP TOURNAMENT NETS RECORD INCOME FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Clifton, VA— The skies opened up over Westfields Golf Club on Monday, sending voluminous sheaths of rain down on the participants of the 14th Annual Mervyn L. Jones Memorial Golf and Tennis Classic. But, that did not stop the dozens of bold participants from braving the elements to take part in this special Congressional Black Caucus Spouses’ (CBCS) scholarship fundraising event. This year, the Spouses also conducted a Bid Whist tournament, adding spice to an already competitive atmosphere.

“We had a very successful fundraiser, adding a record $409-thousand dollars to our scholarship coffers,” said Leslie Meek, Chair of the CBC Spouses. “We are truly grateful to all of our sponsors who braved the elements, and opened their wallets to help hundreds of young people attend the college of their choice,” she added.

Players competed in seven categories for golf, three categories for tennis, and two categories for bid Whist. Co-Chairs of the special event included CBC Spouses Ambassador Sidney Williams and The Honorable Vivian Bishop as well as Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, after whose late spouse the event was named.

“Mervyn was a member of the CBC Spouses for five years,” Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones said of her late husband. “ In that short time, our members came to love and respect him. His personality and broad smile captured our hearts,” she added.

The winning foursome was the team that included golf and tennis Co-Chair Ambassador Sidney Williams, Orson Porter of Nike, Rick Foster of Nike, and Michael Brown of State Farm. Other winners during the special outing were as follows: Longest Drive (men), Willie Green, Longest Drive (women) Avis Gibson; Closest to the Pin Men, Don Reilley; Closest to the Pin, Mary Jackson.

“The scholarship program plays a vital role in our communities by creating educational opportunities for young people. With the skyrocketing cost of tuition, we hope this program will be the stimulus that encourages our young beneficiaries to embrace their ambitions and move forward,” Ambassador Williams added.

This year, the Spouses will codify their Bid Whist card tournament, a component of the golf and tennis classic. According to Co Chair Vivien Bishop, “Bid Whist has long been a staple at family gatherings and other social events in our community. By adding Bid Whist, we hope to engage those who do not golf or play tennis, but would love a good card game. We encourage players to bring their skill set table,“ she concluded.

Since the inception of the CBC Spouses Education Scholarship Program in 1988, more than $8 million in scholarships have been disbursed to deserving youngsters attending institutions of higher learning all over America. This year, the golf and tennis classic will start with a reception for special guests, that will be followed by the pre-tournament gala. Participants will have the opportunity to bid on extraordinary gifts and entertainment packages during the pre-tournament gala, where they will also enjoy a buffet dinner, dancing and musical entertainment. On Monday, June 26th, the golf tournament, tennis tournament and bid whist competition will commence. All three contests will be played simultaneously during the day.

For information, and to register, please visit www.cbcfinc.org and click on the golf and tennis classic icon. The registration deadline is Wednesday, May 31st. People who sign on after that deadline may not receive a full complement of benefits.

The Congressional Black Caucus Spouses organization is a part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., a 501 ( c ) 3, educational and public policy organization that educates future leaders and promotes collaboration among legislators, business leaders, minority-focused organizational leaders, and organized labor to effect positive and sustainable change in the African American community.