The 16th and final Lily charity golf tournament, a fun fundraiser to benefit Alzheimer’s causes took place Saturday afternoon at Glenview Champions Golf Course. The tournament was started in 2001 in Georgia by Debra Schlofman in honor of her mother Lily Schlofman who passed away that year after struggling with Alzheimer’s for seven years.
Schlofman started The Lily with three friends, Peggy Emmart, Terry Peach and Stephanie Truchan. Schlofman moved to The Villages and so did the Lily in 2006. Schlofman passed away suddenly from a brain aneurism in 2009. Her friends decided the best way to honor Deb and Lily was to continue this tournament to raise money for an important cause.
Fifty-two ladies participated in the first Lily and they raised $3,500.
To date the Lily has raised over $475,000.
This year’s overall winners, Donna Robertson, Jan Lathouwers, Vickie Gongwer and Susie Watson, were also the champions in 2015.
“We’ve come a long way from that first conversation over drinks when this idea was hatched,” said Vicky Blocker, 16-year participant and volunteer. This year 144 players participated and more than 20 volunteers helped.
The money raised is divided between Alzheimer’s Family Organization and Alzheimer’s Association, Central & North Florida. Their support comes from individuals and the business community.
“Everything has a season. It just seemed the right time to end. We will all continue to support Alzheimer’s in our own way,” Peach said.
Noting it was a hot time to play, Peach added “We always play in July; Lily’s birthday was July 17.”
Aside from helping a worthy cause Blocker also enjoys the camaraderie and fellowship of the group, everyone supporting each other.
“It is bittersweet that this is the last one,” said Blocker. “It has been a good educational journey.”
Cory McCowen, another 16-year participant, participated in the final Lily with mixed emotions.
“We have made so many friendships. People actually plan their vacation times around this event. Besides people from Georgia, I know there are people from Ohio and Texas and probably other places.”
Both Blocker and McCowen were in Georgia when they started with the Lily and both have now retired to the Villages. McCowan said that several people have discovered The Villages from the tournament and now live here.