On Saturday, April 26, FPC will host their 56th Snow Golf Tournament at Cleveland Heights Golf Course. Named after FPC member, Peggy Snow, and her late husband, Harold, the tournament began in 1970 when Harold, an avid golfer, suggest starting a tournament and using the funds to help the youth attend summer camp.
The first tournament, like this year’s, was held at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course. Initially named the Presbyterian Masters Golf Tournament, the name was later changed to honor the Snows.
Peggy Snow is FPC’s longest residing member, having been part of the congregation since 1952. She has been involved in a wide swath of activities at the church, including writing the 125th Anniversary History book of FPC with her friend and fellow FPC member, the late Susan Rogers.
While Harold was the one who played golf, Peggy was asked to help him run the tournament, and she did just that until the early 2000s when they asked Randy Gilbert, FPC member, to take over running the event.
Gilbert says one of Harold’s goals was to always keep the cost of playing low so anyone who wanted would be able to participate.
In 1972, the green fees were $3, as was cart rental. The steak dinner served after the tournament was $4. By 1983, the tournament had grown to 72 players with 92 individuals (players and spouses) attending the awards banquet. At that time, prices had increased to $6 for green fees, $5 for cart rental, and $8.50 for the steak dinner.
By 1998, the tournament had 104 golfers and raised nearly $500 for the youth mission trip. In 2007, the tournament had hole sponsors for the first time, and fees to play had increased to $40 which covered green fees, cart rental, and the banquet. Approximately $1,500 was raised to assist the youth with their trip.
“The tournament is not designed to raise money,” Gilbert says. “It was always about fellowship and helping the youth.” Today, many of the players participate in the church’s Older Adult Ministry (OAM), and funds are also used to help the OAM group with their travel and events.
Gilbert often volunteers to drive the bus for the OAM group on their day trips. When he began working with the Snows and the tournament, he was an elder with the church, and he was the chair of activities. The tournament fell under activities, and Gilbert’s relationship with the tournament began.
Snow says that former pastor, Dr. Mike Loudon, was the first “putting pastor” the church had ever had, and she says how delighted she was to have the pastor playing in the tournament.
“What I remember most about playing with Harold,” says FPC member George Hudson, “is that he would struggle around the greens and after several scuffs, he would putt out. When asked his score, Harold would always pause, grin, and say, ‘Oh, give me a five.’”
Hudson says they would all laugh when what they knew was coming was finally said. “It was great fun,” he says.
Loudon recalls playing golf with Harold the first six or eight years he was in Lakeland. “Harold and Peggy Snow are two of my favorite people.”
“I always had to laugh at Harold because after every hole, he would simply say, ‘give me a five,’” echoing Hudson’s comments. “Harold was actually one of the best chippers and putters that I’ve played with,” he says.
“I loved Harold, and I love Peggy with all my heart,” Loudon says.
Snow shares that Jo Ahearn, FPC Executive Assistant, was the first woman to play the tournament, beginning in the early 2000s.
“We are seeing families play together,” Gilbert says. “Jim Severance (FPC member) brought his son and grandkids to play.”
“I’d like to see this continue and to grow as a fellowship opportunity for the church,” Gilbert says. “That’s the reason this was started, and that’s my biggest push.”