Nearly 200 Participants in Lettermen's Association Golf Tournament

Nearly two hundred Gamecocks took to the links on Friday at the Fort Jackson Golf Club for the annual University of South Carolina Association of Lettermen golf tournament. There were 48 foursomes competing and helping to raise funds for the Association with a portion of the proceeds also being donated to Camp Cole in Eastover, S.C.

“It’s a great turnout, and we appreciate being here at Fort Jackson where they’ve been very hospitable to us, and this is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Adam Ribock, who is the Vice President of the Lettermen’s Association and was a manager for the men’s basketball team from 2006 through 2009. “We have 48 teams here today, so a lot of people are giving back. We’ll raise around $15,000. I’m honored to be a part of the Association, and it’s not just for football players. It’s for everybody, whether you were a player, manager, or trainer.”

Generally, the funds are used for the benefit of the student-athletes at South Carolina, and this year they also decided to donate some of the proceeds into the community with Camp Cole.

“I really appreciate the Association having the support of Camp Cole,” said Margaret Deans Fawcett Grantz, co-founder and Director of Development and Marketing for Camp Cole. “Camp Cole is a camp and retreat center for children and adults with disabilities, illnesses, and life challenges. We’re the state’s only fully accessible and inclusive camp that gives children and adults, who otherwise wouldn’t get the opportunity, the chance to experience the magic of camp. This past summer we served 600 kids and adults with 111 disabilities, illnesses, and life challenges.”

For the former student-athletes, getting the chance to come back for a fun day of competition and mingle with Gamecocks from all different sports is one of the major draws.

“It’s always fun to connect with other athletes as well as the softball players,” said former softball student-athlete Sisi Routh (1975). “We’re trying to get more female lettermen involved in things. It’s getting better with more of them coming out for this.”

“It’s like a brotherhood and a family,” said former football offensive lineman Fran Person (2001-2005). “This is our home. It doesn’t matter how many years you’re out, seeing everybody when you come back just brings you back to the days you played here. It’s important to come back. You always want to have that rock and that family to come home to that will love you no matter what. South Carolina is always that for us. I played for both Coach (Lou) Holtz and Coach (Steve) Spurrier, and they both built that type of culture.”

Any former Gamecocks who wish to join the Association of Lettermen can get more information by clicking here.