Jan 4, 2005 – PGA golf professional Ginger Brown Lemm, community leaders, area physicians and Longhills Golf Club are planning to participate in the first Saline Memorial Hospital Hospice Golf Benefit.

The event, which is a result of a partnership developed between Union Bank and Saline Memorial Health Foundation, will provide funds for the SMH Hospice program.

Union Bank and its employees are sponsoring this tournament with a "generous gift and extensive volunteerism," Tina Albright, SMH marketing director, said.

The four-person scramble is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 10, at Longhills Golf Club. A shotgun start is set for 12:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase special mattresses for SMH Hospice patients.

Anne Burns, director of the Hospice unit, said: "These mattresses will be a great help and relief to these patients. This will allow the patients to experience more comfort at the end of their life." Forty-eight patients are now receiving care through the SMH Hospice Department, Albright said.

Anyone interested may participate in the golf benefit. The fee is $55 for individuals or $220 for teams. Numerous prizes will be awarded, including a chance at winning $20,000 for a hole-in-one, Albright said. A silent auction will be held during the tournament.

Additional information about teams or sponsorship opportunities is available by contacting Mike Rushing at 303-5463; Angela Ferguson at 860-3308; or Gwen Garland at SMH, 776-6005.