By Ed Carroll
It would be difficult to find a nicer place or time for a charity clays tournament than Savannah’s Forest City Gun Club on the last weekend of September. And it would be a challenge to find another tournament that has had such fundraising success: In three years the Lowcountry Annie Oakleys Charity Clays tournament has raised nearly $500,000.
“One reason our tournament has raised so much money is that we depend heavily on sponsorships,” said Royceann Friedman, one of more than 100 members of the all-female group. “And we strive for zero/minimal out-of-pocket expenses.”
Lowcountry Annie Oakleys was founded to promote clay shooting for women and with philanthropy at its core. The organization’s first three tournaments raised money for the Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah, and this year contributions will go to the Kids Café program of the Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Jasper County.
The tournament, to be held Friday, September 28, will feature 40 four-person squads. Friedman said squads are filled early, so pre-registration is essential. The main tournament consists of 100 sporting clays targets with Lewis Class scoring. The event also includes a driven-bird flurry. This year’s event will raise money through raffles for a Tempio shotgun, donated by Caesar Guerini, and a diamond watch as well. Non-shooters are welcome for the after-party, which will include an awards presentation.
