The fifth annual “Tee It Up for Character” golf tournament recently drew 116 good sports in support of CHARACTER COUNTS! in Martin County.

Monarch Country Club hosted the tourney -- the one-and-only fund-raiser for CHARACTER COUNTS! program, which provides character-building activities in schools, civic organizations and businesses. The event raised $23,000 for CHARACTER COUNTS!

"CHARACTER COUNTS! encourages sportsmanship and increases public awareness of the importance of core ethical values," Ms. Laiben said. "This golf fund-raiser will help to ensure these activities continue."

The four-person scramble April 26 was followed by a buffet, awards ceremony and live auction.

The golfing results included the following:

• Low gross winners (60) – Jamie Semmler, Stan March, Danny Abraham and Gary Whigam.

• Low net winners (53) – Doug Doran, Shane Dinatali, Joel Czajka and Karl Widman.

• Low net second place (54) - Kevin Grimes, Frank DeGregory, Frank Langman and San Gianino.

• Low Net third place (54) - Richard Anderson, John Terech, Eugene Schulz and Bob Sempier.

• Closest to the Line – Shane Dinatali and Phyllis Kordick.

For the second year, CHARACTER COUNTS! lined up Stuart News columnist Ray McNulty to encourage players – for a $10 donation -- to “Beat the Scribe” on the par-3 fifth hole. The winner was Frank DeGregory, who won a Cobra IM01 putter, courtesy of Monarch Country Club Pro Shop

The hole-in-one prizes were left unclaimed, including a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid courtesy of Toyota of Stuart and golf resort getaways courtesy of Monarch Country Club.

The corporate presenting sponsor of the event was Publix Super Markets Charities. Other major tournament sponsors were Toyota Of Stuart, The Enjoyment Book, Monarch Country Club, The Hometown News, The Palm Beach Post, The Stuart News, Phyllis Kordick, Lively Orthodontics, Peggy McCluskey, Taylor Woodrow, Ampersand Graphics, Shirley Bradley, Bobbie Trimble, Florida Coca Cola Bottling Co., and Larry Thackray, Pure Graphics – Geiger Florida.

The golf tournament committee was made up of volunteers Gene Gillis, Barry Grant, Phyllis Kordick and Barbara Sundblad.

For more information regarding CHARACTER COUNTS!, a program of United Way of Martin County, please visit www.charactercounts.net or call (772) 283-4800, ext. 234.