Kingsbury a Longtime Supporter, Player in Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries Golf Tournament

Howard Kingsbury started playing golf as a teenager when he and some friends would clear rocks on an Ohio course in exchange for being able to play.

He has remained a golfer over the past four decades or so, and while he doesn’t play as much as he might like, he always makes time to participate in a golf fundraiser for one of his favorite causes. Kingsbury will have a team as usual in the annual Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries golf tournament, scheduled for Thursday, April 27, 2017 on the River Course at Sevierville Golf Club.

Kingsbury, who owns and operates The Diner restaurant, remembers serving as a caddy when he was a child in his Ohio hometown. Right after college he went to work for a company that did business with golf courses, so he got playing privileges and continued to work at the sport.

He has been a longtime supporter of SMARM, a faith-based nonprofit that serves the poor and needy in Sevier County. Getting to play golf while supporting the work of the agency is a natural for him.

“I recognized early on when I got to Sevier County that SMARM is one of the most important charitable organizations for our county,” he said. “I’ve been playing in their golf tournament for a long time.”

The cost to play is $100 per person or $400 per team. Individuals who aren’t on a team will be placed on one. Registration and lunch will be from 11:30 a.m. until the 1 p.m. shotgun start.

There will be prizes on every hole, a putting contest and a prize of $10,000 cash for getting a hole in one on a designated par 3.

Lead sponsors of the golf tournament include Collier Restaurant Group, Tennessee State Bank, Citizens National Bank, Blalock & Sons, SRA Architects, New Life Obstetrics & Gynecology Group (Dr. Jim Koerten) and Jeff Mills.

Hole sponsorships are available for as little as $200. Corporate sponsorships of $1,000 to $3,000 include a team for every $1,000, a large sign at the clubhouse, logo on the SMARM website and inclusion in all publicity materials.

For sponsor information or to sign up to play, visit smarm.org or call 865-908-3153.

SMARM was founded to demonstrate the love of Christ by serving individuals and families in their time of need. SMARM provides one-on-one assessments and point-of-need services such as short-term housing, utility assistance, transportation, food and clothing.

Photo: Sevierville’s Howard Kingsbury tees off during a recent golf tournament to benefit Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries.