FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Photo credit: The winning team for the first flight from Ridenour & Goss, P.A . From right to left: Patrick Dowling, Jeff Goss, Todd Sylvester, Josh Carnes
Photo credit: The winning team for the first flight from Ridenour & Goss, P.A . From right to left: Patrick Dowling, Jeff Goss, Todd Sylvester, Josh Carnes
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament Celebrates 35th
Year of Success
August 28, 2025
Year of Success
August 28, 2025
WHITTER - The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted its 35th annual Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament on Wednesday, August 26, at Sequoyah National Golf Club in Whitter. This marks the ninth consecutive year the tournament has been held at this premier mountain course.
A total of 100 golfers across 25 four-person teams competed in a day filled with camaraderie, competition, and community spirit. The event serves as a key fundraiser for the Chamber, supporting local operations, scholarships at Southwestern Community College and Western Carolina University, and beloved community events such as Concerts on the Creek, July 4 Fireworks, Friends Night Out, and
Chamber Connects.
Tournament Results
First Flight
1st Place: Ridenour and Goss — Jeff Goss, Todd Sylvester, Josh Carnes, Patrick Dowling
2nd Place: Catamount Athletics — Jim Clift, Kyle Pifer, Brett Beaver, Travis Chandler
3rd Place – Mountain Credit Union – Asher Boyd, Josh Farmer, Dondi Davis, Clint Sellars
Second Flight
1st Place Harris Regional Hospital – Matthew Burrell, Hunter Karup, Christian Mireles, Toby Moore
2nd Place: Jarrett House — Buzz Hartbarger, Steve Shumaker, Brad Hale, Mike Docette
3rd Place: Jackson County Parks and Recreation — Michael Hopkins, Barney Cagle, Saxon Pratt, Andrew Sherling
Individual Awards
- Men’s Longest Drive: Asher Boyd
- Men’s Closest to the Pin: Kevin Wittekind
- Women’s Longest Drive: Stefanie Conley
- Women’s Closest to the Pin: Lisa Leatherman
“This golf tournament is a true reflection of what makes Jackson County special — community spirit,” said Todd Vinyard, Executive Director of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center. “We’re deeply grateful to our staff, volunteers, sponsors, food and beverage partners, and prize donors who bring this event to life year after year. We also appreciate the strong support from Sequoyah
National Golf Club and Jackson County Parks and Recreation, whose partnership helps make this tournament possible.”
Thank you to the Chamber Partners:
Platinum Sponsor
- Harris Regional Hospital
Diamond Sponsors
- iHeart Radio/Kiss FM
- Mountain Credit Union
- Ward Plumbing Heating and Air
- Western Carolina University
Gold Sponsors
- BalsamWest
- Champion Credit Union
- Duke Energy
- Jackson County Economic Development
- Pepsi
- Service-Men Home Service Group
Silver Sponsors
- Andy Shaw Ford
- Blossman Gas
- Brown Haven Homes
- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
- Ridenhour Goss Law Office
- Nantahala Bank and Trust
- Southwestern Community College
- State Farm Insurance – Charles Wolfe Agency
Prize Product Sponsors
Asheville Tourists
B&B Gifts
Creekside Oyster House
Cullowheegee Farms
Current Dermatology
Dillsboro Automotive
Dillsboro Chocolate Factory
End of Main
Enloe House Wine Bar
First Bank
First Citizen Bank
Fusions Spa
Honey Mountain Bee Farm
Jarrett House
Julie Lucas Edward Jones
Lucy in the Rye
Mad Batter
Mountain Flora
Peak Pizza
People’s Golf
Pepsi
Rivers and Rail Tavern
Service-Men Home Service Group
Speedy’s Pizza
The Fox Burrow
Tuck Fly Shop
WCU Athletics
Winchester Creek Farms
Food & Beverage Sponsors
- Breakfast: Mabel’s Kitchen
- Lunch: Walmart
- The Day’s Last Slice: Wize Guyz Grill
- Beverage - Pepsi
Thank you to Chamber Staff for all their work:
Executive Director- Todd Vinyard; Assistant Director – Eden Wilson; Office Manager – Belinda Foxx; Visitor Services: Tom Frazier, Avery King and Tammy Haskett.
Looking Ahead
Next year’s tournament is tentatively scheduled for August 2027. Stay tuned for the
official date announcement. For photos, videos, and more highlights from the event, visit Chamber’s Facebook page- www.facebook.com/
Media Contact:
Eden Wilson
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center
Assistant Director
www.mountainlovers.com
edenwilsonjccc@gmail.com
office: (828) 586-2155
A total of 100 golfers across 25 four-person teams competed in a day filled with camaraderie, competition, and community spirit. The event serves as a key fundraiser for the Chamber, supporting local operations, scholarships at Southwestern Community College and Western Carolina University, and beloved community events such as Concerts on the Creek, July 4 Fireworks, Friends Night Out, and
Chamber Connects.
Tournament Results
First Flight
1st Place: Ridenour and Goss — Jeff Goss, Todd Sylvester, Josh Carnes, Patrick Dowling
2nd Place: Catamount Athletics — Jim Clift, Kyle Pifer, Brett Beaver, Travis Chandler
3rd Place – Mountain Credit Union – Asher Boyd, Josh Farmer, Dondi Davis, Clint Sellars
Second Flight
1st Place Harris Regional Hospital – Matthew Burrell, Hunter Karup, Christian Mireles, Toby Moore
2nd Place: Jarrett House — Buzz Hartbarger, Steve Shumaker, Brad Hale, Mike Docette
3rd Place: Jackson County Parks and Recreation — Michael Hopkins, Barney Cagle, Saxon Pratt, Andrew Sherling
Individual Awards
- Men’s Longest Drive: Asher Boyd
- Men’s Closest to the Pin: Kevin Wittekind
- Women’s Longest Drive: Stefanie Conley
- Women’s Closest to the Pin: Lisa Leatherman
“This golf tournament is a true reflection of what makes Jackson County special — community spirit,” said Todd Vinyard, Executive Director of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center. “We’re deeply grateful to our staff, volunteers, sponsors, food and beverage partners, and prize donors who bring this event to life year after year. We also appreciate the strong support from Sequoyah
National Golf Club and Jackson County Parks and Recreation, whose partnership helps make this tournament possible.”
Thank you to the Chamber Partners:
Platinum Sponsor
- Harris Regional Hospital
Diamond Sponsors
- iHeart Radio/Kiss FM
- Mountain Credit Union
- Ward Plumbing Heating and Air
- Western Carolina University
Gold Sponsors
- BalsamWest
- Champion Credit Union
- Duke Energy
- Jackson County Economic Development
- Pepsi
- Service-Men Home Service Group
Silver Sponsors
- Andy Shaw Ford
- Blossman Gas
- Brown Haven Homes
- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
- Ridenhour Goss Law Office
- Nantahala Bank and Trust
- Southwestern Community College
- State Farm Insurance – Charles Wolfe Agency
Prize Product Sponsors
Asheville Tourists
B&B Gifts
Creekside Oyster House
Cullowheegee Farms
Current Dermatology
Dillsboro Automotive
Dillsboro Chocolate Factory
End of Main
Enloe House Wine Bar
First Bank
First Citizen Bank
Fusions Spa
Honey Mountain Bee Farm
Jarrett House
Julie Lucas Edward Jones
Lucy in the Rye
Mad Batter
Mountain Flora
Peak Pizza
People’s Golf
Pepsi
Rivers and Rail Tavern
Service-Men Home Service Group
Speedy’s Pizza
The Fox Burrow
Tuck Fly Shop
WCU Athletics
Winchester Creek Farms
Food & Beverage Sponsors
- Breakfast: Mabel’s Kitchen
- Lunch: Walmart
- The Day’s Last Slice: Wize Guyz Grill
- Beverage - Pepsi
Thank you to Chamber Staff for all their work:
Executive Director- Todd Vinyard; Assistant Director – Eden Wilson; Office Manager – Belinda Foxx; Visitor Services: Tom Frazier, Avery King and Tammy Haskett.
Looking Ahead
Next year’s tournament is tentatively scheduled for August 2027. Stay tuned for the
official date announcement. For photos, videos, and more highlights from the event, visit Chamber’s Facebook page- www.facebook.com/
Media Contact:
Eden Wilson
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center
Assistant Director
www.mountainlovers.com
edenwilsonjccc@gmail.com
office: (828) 586-2155
