Golf scrambles are held throughout the Ohio Valley all summer long, raising money for a variety of causes.

One of those area golfers look forward to the most was held last week at Bec-Wood Hills Golf Course when the Belmont Mountaineer Athletic Club held one of its biggest fundraisers with its 13th annual B-MAC Golf Scramble.

The monies raised from the event – which according to scramble director John S. Marshall – was upwards of four grand goes to benefit a scholarship at West Virginia University in Morgantown. Currently receiving that scholarship is former Steubenville High School ace and now member of the WVU Women’s Basketball Team Liz Repella. Former Wheeling Central standout Alyssa DeSantis – who was a member of the WVU womens gymnastics team was the initial recipient of the scholarship.

“We had about our normal number of teams and we had a lot of sponsors, so we had great participation from everyone,” Marshall said. “We have about 250-300 members who are involved in B-MAC, but about five of us work to put this event on, and I am really appreciative of the time they put in.”

Marshall’s right-hand men, if you will, consist of Mike McCutcheon, John Budinscak, Jerry Klug, Frank Secreto.

Several prizes were awarded, but the ultimate prize of victory went to a team of Larry Chambers, Dave Hall, Bob Cain and Bill Hinegardner. Cain – the River High golf coach and longtime hoop official – did the majority of the work and that only seems fitting since he played collegiately at the University of Wyoming.

The foursome combined their driving, putting and chipping skills to a score of 11-under on the challenging Mt. Pleasant course.

There were also several prizes given out during the course of the round for skill games and drawings. Fred Brunner won the closest to the pin, while Brian Echoltz was the winner of the longest drive competition.

Frank Secreto was the lucky Mountaineer fan to win a drawing for two Mountaineer football tickets for this upcoming season.

“I think it went really well, and I would definitely call it a success,” Marshall said. “This tournament is well received and we’re guessing that we’ve raised close to 80 thousand dollars since we’ve been doing this, so it’s been a success.”

The tournament is held at Bec-Wood because the late John Becca, who owned the course, was a running back at WVU in 1947 and it’s stayed at the course ever since.

B-MAC does other fundraisers throughout the year, including a steak fry and also game-watching parties for Mountie football games. The club is also sponsoring a bus trip to Heinz Field the day after Thanksgiving when the Mountaineers tangle with arch-rival Pitt.

Marshall also wanted to point out the aide provided by his sponsors and thank them for their support. The sponsors include: John S. Marshall, Marshall Insurance, Convenient Food Mart, Regis L. Woods & Alan Hoover; Mike Shuetz, State Farm Insurance; UniGlobe Ohio Valley Travel; Whiteside Dealers; Gary Thalman; Wilson Auto Glass; Terry and Patti Whitfield; Jody Hill Appraisals; NTB; Progressive Bank; Bordas & Bordas; West Texas Roadhouse; Belmont Savings Bank; Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration; Main Street Bank; Berry, Bipus, Choson & Foose; Ed Sustersic; Wal-Mart; Jim Wilson; Thornburg, Bean and Glick; AmeriBank; K-Mart; Mark J. Wilson Pediatrics; Jeff’s Auto Body and Collision; Xtreme Suzuki; Mike Sherwood; Goodman Realty; Sam’s Club; Coca-Cola; Wheeling Nailers; WVU Mountaineer Athletic Club and Kroger.

J.T. MEMORIAL SCRAMBLE

One of the big events during the scramble year was forced to be cut short early last week due to a heavy rain storm. The third annual J.T. Memorial Golf Scramble at the Crispin Course was called after 14 holes.

The team of Dr. Robert Caveney, Matt Hicks, Joe Caveney and Chris Palmer were delcared the winners with a minus 11 at their point in the round. Three other teams also were at 11-under, but the handicap holes were figured in to give the Caveny team the victory for the second time in three years.

There was one hole-in-one during the round, but it didn’t come on a prize hole because it was on a par-4. Mike Sprouse of Wasu, Pa. aced the 16th hole with a driver.

The proceeds from the event benefit a scholarship that’s given to one graduating Wheeling Central and one graduating Wheeling Park senior each year.

FERRY CHAMBER EVENT

The Martins Ferry Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Scramble will be held on Saturday, Aug. 16 at Paradise Hills Golf Course. The event will be a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Sponsors are currently being accepted for the event. Gold Sponsor of $750 will receive a free foursome, sign on every hole and a listing on major sponsor sign. Silver sponsor of $500 will receive a foursome and name on major sponsor sign.

There will be five hole-in-one prizes, longest drive and closest to the pin plus skins game.

The prize money for the winning teams is as follows: $240, $120 and $60. For more information on the event please contact the Chamber at 633-2565.

RIVER GRID SCRAMBLE

The River Touchdown Club will hold its annual scramble on July 26 at Riverside Golf Course in Sardis. The cost is $50 per man, which includes golf, cart, food, beverages and prizes. It’s a four-man scramble with a shotgun start. It’s also to be noted that 70 year olds and up will play from the front tee. For more information please contact Sherry at the high school at 483-1358.

Staskey can be reached at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com