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Les Matherly’s ace highlights Kids Golf Classic

Photos by Jordan Holland A check for $190,000 is presented to the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg following the 21st annual Kids Golf Classic Monday at the Parkersburg Country Club.

PARKERSBURG — An eventful 21st annual Kids Golf Classic Monday at the Parkersburg Country Club was highlighted by a hole-in-one.

Les Matherly, a golfer with more than 30 years under his belt, knocked in the first ace of his life on hole No. 2, and he couldn’t have picked a better spot. Matheny Motors was the Hole-In-One sponsor for hole No. 2, awarding Matherly’s three-wood shot with a 2017 GMC Acadia Denali.

“Our staff and family are thrilled to be a part of such a great cause supporting our local Boys and Girls Club,” said Tim Matheny, President of Matheny Motors. “We really credit United Bank for all their efforts to make this tournament the amazing success it has become year after year. Congratulations to Les Matherly.”

Matheny said it was the first time he’s had someone win a car via a hole-in-one.

Matherly’s feat was witnessed by teammates Harold Manner, Chris Campbell and John “SID” Springston, on a day where $190,000 in donations was generated to benefit the more than 600 youths served annually by the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg.

Since the Kids Golf Classic began in 1997, more than $2.4 million has been raised to help the nonprofit organization. Ben Shuman, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg, continues to be amazed at the amount of community support the event receives.

“Thanks to United Bank and all the many sponsors of the Kids Golf Classic, the Club was able to provide a full year of programs and support to more than 1,200 youths last year alone,” Shuman said.

Money generated from the Kids Golf Classic accounts for more than one-third of the organization’s operating budget, according to Shuman.

“Without the generous support from our community,” he added, “the Club would cease to exist and hundreds of kids who need us the most would struggle to find academic support and caring mentors who genuinely want to ensure they have a great future.”

United Bank, Inc. accounts for the entirety of the funding for the Kids Golf Classic, allowing 100 percent of the funds raised to go directly to the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg.

“We’re so proud of the impact this tournament has had on the children served by the Boys and Girls Club over the past two decades,” said Chad Mildren, tournament chairman and chief consuming banking officer of United Bank, Inc. “The Boys and Girls Club plays such an important role in our community by shaping area youth and contributing to their future successes. It’s an honor for us to provide this platform which introduces their organization to countless members of our business community, raises much-needed funds and helps provide them with the stability they need so they can focus on their mission.”

The event, which featured an 11:30 a.m. shotgun start, was played under mostly sunny skies, wrapping up in plenty of time before heavy rain hit the area around 6 p.m. There were 144 golfers who participated and more than 165 local businesses and community members who sponsored the event.

Winning the first flight was Brian McPherson, Denny Harton, Wayne Novak and Alan Cooke with a score of 58. The quintet of Eric Fitzer, Dave Knost, Mark McLean, Greg Ogrinz and Brian West carded a 64 to win the second flight, while the third flight was won with a 64 as well by the foursome of Dave Righter, Doug Swearingen, Jim Murphy and Zack Jones.

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