Community raises $6,200 to fund trip
Myles Keogh and Kayson Taylor are set to compete against some of the world's best junior golfers.
The Ellijay tandem secured their spots at the upcoming Optimist International Junior Golf Championship at the Trump National Doral Resort in Miami.
They qualified in early June at a tournament held at Cannongate Golf Club, where Keogh finished first and Taylor was the runner-up. They squared off against golfers in the Gateway District, which comprises Georgia and Tennessee.
While the golfers will have lodging at the resort, there were still plenty of other costs that needed to be covered. That is where the Optimist Club and members Vito Molfetto and Rebecca Harrell stepped in to spearhead a fundraising campaign that raised $6,200.
As the donations were coming in, Molfetto received an email from Old Toccoa Farm owner Peter Knutzen, who stepped in with a sizable donation to help reach their fundraising goal.
“All of a sudden, Sunday night, we get an email from Knutzen and he said, ‘I want to contribute and do a lot of other stuff for the boys,’” Molfetto said. “He really came through in a big way, and he gave the kids swag bags and shirts to wear every day at the tournament.
“And the community itself really supported the whole thing. The community knows this is a big deal for the Optimist Club, and it’s a big deal for our community to have the boys represent North Georgia.”
Keogh and Taylor are rising ninth graders. This past spring, they helped Clear Creek Middle School win the Mountain League Championship, and Keogh was the low medalist. Keogh also competes in Georgia State Golf Association events and won three junior tournaments in June.
The duo will continue to prepare for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship in the coming weeks. They will play a practice round first, and the 54-hole event will take place July 22-24. Those who finish in the top 70 after 36 holes will advance to the final round on the Blue Monster Course. Remaining golfers will play the Golden Palm Course, and awards will be given in both flights.
“This is a great opportunity for them to represent Gilmer County,” Molfetto said. “We’re grateful to be able to help these two young men.”