Jan. 20, 2006

The University of South Carolina golf programs received an early Christmas gift this year. On Dec. 6, at the home of Bill and Patti Tovell in Columbia, S.C., the Ben Arnold Beverage Company presented the USC golf programs with a check in the amount of $75,000, earmarked for the renovation of the Gamecocks’ on-campus short game facility.

The large donation is a result of the extraordinary sales success of Spurrier Vineyard Cock N’ Fire Cabernet. The wine was the brainchild of USC head men’s golf coach Puggy Blackmon and Lloyd Wilber, Vice-President of the Premiere Division for Ben Arnold Beverage Company who also serves as the Chairman of the Gamecock Gallery, USC golf’s booster group. A limited number of bottles were distributed as gifts at head football coach Steve Spurrier’s Media Golf Outing over the summer. At the beginning, there was no intention to market and sell the wine.

“The response was amazing,” Blackmon said. “Surprisingly, the media picked it up and ran with it. We were getting countless numbers of phone calls from people who wanted to know where they could purchase it.”

The idea for a fundraiser was born.

Blackmon pitched the idea to Carolina Athletics Director Eric Hyman. Hyman checked to make sure the project was permissible, and when he found out it was, gave his approval and support.

With Coach Spurrier’s blessing, the line of wine was distributed to Ben Arnold customers throughout the state of South Carolina. It went on sale during the middle of November; by the middle of December, it was sold out with a large portion of the proceeds committed to USC golf.

During the process, the wine appeared on ESPN’s College Football Game Day, in The State newspaper, Wine Enthusiast magazine and in Sports Illustrated, as well as many other media outlets.

“It was more popular than we ever thought it would be,” Blackmon noted.

Hyman is impressed with how the project turned out and appreciative to all who were involved.

“I highly respect people who are creative and think outside the box. Coach Blackmon’s idea, his marketing and energy made Cock N’ Fire a hugely successful venture,” Hyman said. “Not only did the Gamecock fans enjoy the Cock N’ Fire idea but the golf team facilities will directly benefit from the proceeds. We are grateful for Coach Spurrier’s assistance and Puggy’s initiative.”

Blackmon is extremely grateful to both Wilber and Tovell for their efforts and Coach Spurrier for his support.

“Lloyd Wilber, a longtime friend, has been instrumental in raising the money for our programs as the Chairman of the Gamecock Gallery for many years,” Blackmon said. “His efforts, along with those of (CEO/President of Ben Arnold) Bill Tovell, made the Cock N’ Fire Cabernet an overwhelming success. As a result of Coach Spurrier’s support and Ben Arnold’s efforts, we’re well on the way to renovating our short game facility. We really appreciate Coach Spurrier’s support of Cock N’ Fire Cabernet.”

Wilber and Tovell both feel good about the project and the chance to support the Gamecock golf programs.

“We are so proud to have had such a huge success with Cock N’ Fire Cabernet, and because of that success we have been able to contribute toward improving the short game facility on campus,” Wilber said. “This will help, tremendously, in bringing both the men’s and women’s golf teams into national prominence.”

“The success of Cock N’ Fire Cabernet has been huge!” Tovell said. “I, personally, have been very proud to be involved with the coaches and staff of the University of South Carolina, especially the generosity that was demonstrated by Coach Spurrier, allowing us to use his name for this good cause. All of our associates are thrilled to have been able to contribute towards the golf teams’ future success.”