Friday June 3 could be the lucky day for a purchaser of the winning golf ball in the first Richmond County Chamber of Commerce Golf Ball Drop.

The 50/50 fundraising event is set for immediately following the Sixth Annual Richmond County Chamber Golf Scramble (approximately 5:30 p.m.) at Richmond Pines Country Club on U.S. 1 north of Rockingham.

The numbered balls will be dropped from a 60-foot bucket truck sponsored by Progress Energy onto a green at the course. The first ball to go into the cup or the ball that winds up closest to going into the hole will split the proceeds with Richmond County Schools in support of Communities In Schools of Richmond County.

Communities In Schools is part of the national Communities In Schools network, which is the leading dropout prevention organization in the country, and the only such organization that is proven to decrease the dropout rate and increase on-time graduation rates.

“We are very excited to form a local affiliate of Communities in Schools in Richmond County. I have been fortunate enough to have the Communities in Schools program in other school systems, and I’ve seen what a huge difference it can make in the lives of young people. We appreciate the efforts of the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce and Progress Energy in support of this venture”, said Dr. George Norris, Superintendent of Schools.

Balls can be purchased at one at $3, two for $5 or five for $10. You do not have to be a Chamber member nor participate in the golf scramble nor be present at the time of the drop in order to win.

“It can be quite a prosperous return for a $5 or $10 purchase,” Chamber President Emily Tucker said, adding that we have only 319 balls to sell for the event.

Golf balls for the contest are being sold between now and the event, including at the Thursday, May 19 Business After Hours at the Richmond County Airport from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Golfers may also buy them the day of the scramble.

The tournament, played in a Captain’s Choice format (Scramble), kicks off at 12:30 (lunch and registration begins at 11:00) Entry into the tournament is $65 per player. Tournament partners so far include: Mabry’s Drug and Home Care, Piedmont Natural Gas, Progress Energy, Four Oaks Bank, R.A. Jefferies, Pepsi, Carolina Insurance, Richmond Community College and Perdue.

Player and additional sponsorship opportunities are still available! Don’t miss this exciting, fun day of great networking with Richmond County’s business leaders and don’t miss this year’s dinner after the tournament fresh off the grill.

Persons interested in purchasing balls for the contest or registering for the June 3rd golf scramble may visit or call the Chamber office at 101 W. Broad Avenue, Rockingham, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, call 895-9058.