For the 14th consecutive year more than $100,000 was raised at the Richard L. Byrne Memorial Golf Tournament hosted by Scotch Meadows Country Club, with every penny going to the non-profit Hospice of Scotland County.

The tournament, in its 23rd year, was much more than a few rounds of golf. Scores of volunteers, donors and sponsors combined efforts to raise money through several fundraising events taking place around the tournament on Tuesday and Wednesday.

There were door prizes, raffles, silent and live auctions and, of course, there was the golf tournament.

Jeff Fiorini, general manager of the event's major sponsor, Eaton Golf Pride, handed the oversized check to exuberant hospice officials in a ceremony on Wednesday.

Recent economic hardships in the Scotland County area had given hospice workers reason to doubt that a number as large as the $127,880 raised would be attainable, so the celebration when the check was handed over was substantial.

"It is a testament to the people in this community," said Fiorini. "We were not really sure what to expect in this (economic) environment ... but the people showed they believe we are making a difference, and that is exciting."

Fiorini called the tournament the "single most important thing" Golf Pride does in Scotland County each year.

Hospice Executive Director Jane Murray was one of the ones bowled over by the sum of money raised.

"We are thrilled to death, and to think this was done at a two day tournament. We are absolutely thrilled."

Murray identified the event's corporate sponsors, donors and volunteers as integral components of the fundraising success.

All of the money raised through the tournament will support patient services.

Practically, said Murray, the funds will "allow (hospice) to care for patients who have no ability to pay for services."

"That is really important because we want to provide the same level of services to all of our referrals."

Eaton, which owns the golf club grip manufacturing Golf Pride, has helped raise $2.6 million since the beginning of its relationship with Hospice of Scotland County 23 years ago, Murray said.

Over the last few years one raffle, in particular, has become a staple at the tournament. This year, continuing the tradition, Bob's Jewel Shop of Laurinburg donated a 3-stone diamond pendant to be raffled off to raise money.

The diamond, offered in memory of the late Bob McCabe, was given its new home by Bob's Gertrude McCabe, who selected the winning raffle ticket which belonged to Donna Sewell of New Jersey. Sewell was not in attendance to hear her winning ticket selected.

"Hospice is a good cause," said McCabe, whose first hand experience with the organization when a loved one was ill made the quality of Scotland County's hospice services all too apparent to her and her family.

Not to be forgotten, the golf tournament itself saw over 180 golfers turn out to compete over the two days.

24 women divided into six teams took to the course on Tuesday, with top placers in individual and team categories winning gift certificates to host Scotch Meadow's Country Club's pro shop.

On Wednesday it was the men's turn, with 160 entrants competing in separate teams flooding the course. They, too, were trying for low scores in both team and individual competitions.

Prizes were also given in "closest to the pin" and "longest putt" challenges.

"This year's event was beyond our wildest expectations," said hospice Director of Public Relations David Hibbard.

"And the great thing is that the patients and their families are the ones who will really benefit."