An event held last weekend brought the local community together for a little bit of golf, some good food and a “celebration of life.”
The event – named A Celebration of Life: Memorial Golf Scramble for Adam Irvine Sharp – was held Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25 at the Buckeye Hills Country Club. It raised more than $20,000 for the Adam Sharp Memorial Fund, which was set up by the Sharp family to provide FFA scholarships to outstanding McClain High School seniors involved in agriculture or golf.
“It was amazing,” said Sharon Sims, of the Sims Family Golf Center, who hosted the event. “I am so overwhelmed with what took place.”
The golf outing was held on Friday, and the Community Celebration of Life Dinner was held the following evening.
Sims said more than 500 people participated in the event, including 128 golfers.
The event concluded with lanterns being sent off in remembrance of loved ones who have passed away. Susan and David Sharp, Adam’s mother and father, released the first lantern.
Ryan Kline sang “Because He Lives” and “It is Well with My Soul.”
According to Sims, Adam Sharp passed away last year on July 20, following a recreational boating accident on Cumberland Lake.
She said she was approached by two of Adam Sharp’s friends shortly after his passing who asked if she would consider hosting a golf outing as a way to celebrate his life.
“Well, that was a definite yes for me,” Sims said in a story she wrote describing the planning of the event.
She added that, as she watched the outpouring of the youths’ love for their friend, “I realized not only did I feel driven to have a golf outing to honor Adam … but there needed to be a dinner party for all the individuals who didn’t play golf.”
Sims said that, around Christmas, she asked the Sharp family about the possibility of a weekend celebration to support the Adam Sharp Memorial Fund.
According to Sims, “After much thoughtfulness and open discussion, the family made a decision that they wanted to have the weekend event and thought they would be able to handle it emotionally.”
From there, planning continued. Once the event was announced, Sims said the community of Greenfield showed “overwhelming love and support.”
Sims said, “Our hearts are filled with great gratitude for all who volunteered, prepared our food, participated and gave to this wonderful event,” including all the volunteers on the many committees who organized the outing.
Numerous individuals and businesses sponsored, donated to, and helped with the event including: Corner Pharmacy LLC, Greenfield Vet Clinic, Dr. David A. Jamieson, Merchants National Bank, VanZant Farms, Catch 22, Weller’s P&H Inc., Greenfield Research, Sponcil Farms, Garman Feed and Farm, Karnes Alfalfa Farm, Wagemseller/Foley/Hollingsworth, Joe Sharp’s Family, Brodbeck Seeds INC., Ambulance Billing Network, Buckeye Ambulance, TLC Car Wash, Irvine-Sharp Farms, Buck’s Tire Service INC, Larrick Farms, Hos”PET”ality Inn, The Glitz, David, Mel and Frank Jones, Desha Company LLC, Binegar’s Truck Auto & Sales, Stewart’s Pharmacy, Mossberg & Smithson, CPAs, Baldwin Farms, Phil, Margie and Robbie Free, Diversified Services (Ryan Pollard), The Adams Family, Grandview Acers, Jerry VanDyke-FCA Flight Training, Melvin Liquid Fertilizer, Carol Hixson, Union Stockyards, Bryant Agriculture Enterprise, Five Points Implements, Jetts Embroidery, Beatty Farms, The Onusko Family, Greenfield Research, Greenfield Chiropractic, The Bolender Family, Unger Farms, Wilson National Real Estate LLC, Crop Production, Best One Tire-Todd Wilkin, Washington Lock Service, Turner Farms, Compliments of Ernie Blankenship Jr., JK Farms, Johnson Controls, Community Savings Bank, Tom and Jane Dixon, Richard and Cristy Mizer, Parker’s Pizza, John Surber, DBA Zach’s Towing, Miller Insurance Co., Country Corner Market, Seely Portraits, Miller’s Insurance, Sam Bickel & Family, Clev Bartley, Snow Hill County Club, Tom and Janet Shawhan, Three Spoons Diner, Robbins Village Florist, Wilmington College CC/Track & Field, Wilmington College Athletics, Wilmington College Aggies, Wilmington College Alumni Office, Mike and Linda Penn, Bayer Animal Health, Fox Fire Country Club, Ann Pence, McClain Athletics, Merrill Animal Health, Amy and Adam Garman, Holli Ertel, Big City Pizza, Cincinnati Reds, Greene’s Automotive, Blain and Cami Bergstrom, John Deere Stools, Adam Strong, Merck Drug, David and Karen Cokonougher, Seth Willman, The Buckskin Ramblers 4-H Club, Brad Kilcherman, Brad Williams and Ryan Kline.
Reach Sarah Allen at 937-393-3456, ext. 1680, or on Twitter @SarahAllenHTG.
