Comment
Print
A group of people heading out to the golf course for an evening of sport and fun, turned the outing into one of the most successful fundraising events for Rutherford County veterans.
In four years with the leadership of golfers Bob Mellnik and Dave Long, former golf pro at Cleghorn Golf and Sports Club, have raised nearly $80,000 to help veterans in Rutherford County.
All proceeds go directly to the Veteran Relief Fund that is managed by the Christopher Ebert Marine Corps League.
Mellnik and Long talked about hosting a golf tournament to raise money for veterans and considered donating on the national level.
"The reason we wanted to start the tournament was because we're just very patriotic guys and we very much appreciate veterans and what they've done," said Long. "It is really hard to figure out how to repay them for everything they'd done, so we reached out to the Marine Corps League.
"It was a God-thing, the Marine Corps League," Long said as their relationship with the veterans grew.
Long says although he changed his profession from a golf pro working 70 plus hours a week to selling real estate he never retired.
"I just wore out. I am not retired. I just re-wired," Dave said.
But Mellnik and Long met members of Marine Corps League and witnessed the work they do, they decided to help organize the golf tournament at Cleghorn to raise money for the needs of local veterans.
Even after Long retired as golf pro at Cleghorn, the new golf pro Dave Quiroz continued on with the partnership.
"He graciously allowed us to continue it basically at the same costs that we had before which allowed us to make good proceeds," Long said.
"We are proud to be a partner in making this event happen each year," said Sharon Decker, President, Carolinas Operations, Tryon Equestrian Partners (Cleghorn owners). "It is a really great way to honor our veterans and to raise money for such a worthy cause."
Long's rewiring and teaming up with Mellnik for the golf tournament has certainly proved valuable for veterans.
Mellnik said until he started doing real estate appraisals for veterans, he never realized just how many veterans were in Rutherford County and many with needs.
Mellnik recalled going into the homes of the veterans and witnessed first hand just how special they are and he also saw needs.
"So we just (Dave) got to talking and started doing a golf tournament.
So after "stumbling" upon the Marine Corps League more than four years ago, the men learned about the Veterans Relief Fund to help local Rutherford County veterans.
"We found out what all they do," said Mellnik. It was an easy decision for the non-veteran golfers to stay local.
Sponsorships for the tournament are sold and many veterans' names are placed on signs around Cleghorn on the day of the tournament.
"It is such a special time for those people. It is a special time for the veterans and we have a lot of veterans that play golf that day," Mellnik continued.
The tournament has grown over the years and at the 2024 tournament in November some teams had to be turned away.
When Hurricane Helene hit in September, it was feared there wouldn't be as many participants, but the numbers from 2023 and 2024 were almost the same.
"This is probably the most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life. It's getting bigger and bigger and meetings will be held in the future to decide what to do next year, but it's a wonderful time," Mellnik said.
Some time ago, a Rutherford County veteran didn't have hot water at home. There had not been hot water in the home for almost a year. But when the need was made known, the Marine Corps League took money from the Veterans Relief Fund and got a hot water heater.
Relief money has been used to build handicap ramps for veterans, to help pay rent, buy groceries and help with other bills.
When a veteran's need is made known to the League, those in leadership review the need and then respond by shopping for food or paying bills.
"Those men and women are the best group of people I've ever met," Mellnik. "They are the hardest working group of people I know and I am so glad and so blessed to know them. It is so rewarding for me."
Bob said neither he or Dave feel worthy of being a part of the veterans organization.
"But they made us honorary members. They brought us to the banquet and made us guests of honor," he said.
"I never thought that a veteran doesn't just make a two to four year sacrifice, it is a lifelong sacrifice," he said.
Mellnik said as the years go by more and more people are becoming involved in the Marine Corps League's Veterans tournament and that is good news for the veterans who need help.
There is also a Marine Corps League golf tournament in the spring at Forest City Golf Course to help with expenses to operate the Marine Corps League and its overhead.
