Dan Kamal, center, celebrates with teammates after sinking his putt during the 17th annual George Fellows Memorial Golf Tournament. (photo by Bill Roa)

by Rebecca Rakoczy

Supporting the Georgia Perimeter College Foundation’s annual George Fellows Memorial Golf Tournament is personal for Bob Grant.

Bob Grant

Grant knew George Fellows, for whom the tournament is named. Fellows was his friend, mentor and fellow golfer. The two were Boy Scout leaders and Rotary Club members. Fellows also was an educator and the first chairman of the college foundation board.

When Fellows asked Grant to join him on the board of the then DeKalb College Foundation, Grant accepted. He stayed for 20 years, following in Fellows’ footsteps on the board and retiring as chairman.

“George gave the first dollar to the foundation toward student scholarships,” said Grant. “He was my inspiration.”

After Fellows passed away, the college started the tournament in his memory. Since 1998, it has become the primary scholarship fundraiser for the college, raising more than $1.6 million toward scholarships for students. This year’s tournament (the 17^th annual event) was held at Chateau Élan in Braselton. It drew 216 players and raised almost $110,000.

The golf tournament not only attracts players, but scores of volunteers.

“The golf tournament is a highlight for me each year and epitomizes what makes GPC great: quality, teamwork and fun,” says Fran Mohr, customer service director for GPC. Mohr has volunteered at the tournament for each of the past nine years. “Returning players cannot find enough accolades about their enjoyment of the day, and the new players I met this year guaranteed they would be back.”

Though he has retired to Alabama, Grant still travels to Georgia for the annual event. His participation is so constant; the tournament trophy is named in his honor.

This year marked the first time in 17 years he has missed the tournament, he says. “I’ll be there next year with bells on,” he said.

“Patrons and participants come year after year to this tournament—it’s just fantastic, and every year it gets better,” Grant said. “I think we do a good job to of letting people know it’s all about the students.”

Mohr thinks likewise.

“It’s a win-win-win event: GPC volunteers make a difference for the players, who make a difference for GPC students through their donations,” Mohr says.

GPC interim president Rob Watts, (left) greets former college president Jim Hinson, a longtime supporter and participant of the tournament. (photo by Bill Roa)