by HICKORY, N.C. – The Solution Partners division of the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) held its 30th Annual Education Golf Tournament Wednesday, September 29, raising over $26,000 for a scholarship fund that supports the families of industry workers.
Over 100 golfers participated in the event, held at Lake Hickory Country Club, Catawba Springs Course, Hickory, N.C.
The winning foursome was sponsored by Catawba Valley Community College and included Dr. Larry Putnam, Bryan Hollar, Casey Rogers and Doyle Wyantt. Valdese Weavers sponsored the second place team of Blake Millinor, Patrick Shelton, Blake Lindsay and Neil Barrier, while Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute sponsored the third place team of Mark Poarch, Dennis Seagle, Rick Shew and Patrick Laney.
Photo courtesy of Becca Kate Photography
Prizes were also awarded to Rick Shew for closest to the pin and to Doyle Wyantt for the longest drive.
All proceeds from the tournament are dedicated to the Solution Partners Education Fund, which supports a variety of educational initiatives, including the Solution Partners Scholarship Program. More than 120 scholarships have been awarded since the program began in 1990.
“This is the only scholarship program of its kind in our industry. It provides direct support to home furnishings workers and their families with scholarship money that helps students afford continuing education at a college, university or technical school,” notes AHFA CEO Andy Counts.
In recent years, the scholarships have increased from $2,000 to $2,500 each, and the number awarded annually has grown from six to 12. Students may reapply for the one-year scholarships each year they are in school, provided a parent remains employed full time at an AHFA member company. Eight scholarships are awarded based on financial need and academic merit; four are awarded based on academic merit alone.
AHFA’s Solution Partners division is made up of more than 150 companies that supply products and services to the residential furniture industry worldwide. In addition to funding the scholarship program, the division’s Education Golf Tournament also helps underwrite a jobs website that connects prospective industry workers with available job opportunities in the industry (www.MyFurnitureCareer.com).
Proceeds also have been used to support upholstery training programs at North Carolina community colleges.
