By Phoebe Donald Robinson / Community Columnist

Columbiana United Methodist Church’s second annual golf tournament is Sunday, July 13, 2014. Shotgun start is at 2 p.m. at Magnolia Meadows Golf Course in Columbiana. All proceeds benefit CUMC playground and youth ministries.

Karen Carlee is tournament chair assisted by Jennifer and Craft Maier, sponsorship; Tim and Holly Moody, gift bags and door prize; Evan Major, Jack Mundy and Dan Hedrick, teams.

A limited number (16-18) of four-man teams are available. Teams cost $300 or $75 individual. Individuals will be put with other golfers to form a team. Registration ends on Sunday, July 13 before the shotgun start. Cash prizes will be awarded: First place ($300), second place ($200) and third place ($100). To register, call the church 669-7164 or email karencarlee@gmail.com.

Dinner will be served after the tournament;  cooked, served, and cleaned up by CUMC youth and KIMCO kids. Door prizes will be given at dinner.

Sponsorships are available and needed. Levels of sponsorships are: gold ($500); silver ($300); bronze ($200); business level ($100); and family ($50). Sponsorship questions may be directed to Jennifer Maier at 567-0930.

The goal of the tournament is to completely fund the new CUMC playground. The old playground was totally unsafe. After the youth tore down and hauled off the old materials, a new, safe playground has been built with state-of-art footings.

“After much discussion, the council decided that the church wanted to build a playground, not just for the church, but for the community,” said Carlee. “The council wanted to build the best and safest playground possible to be God’s playground for not only our church but for outreach in the community. At night when I drive by and see families playing, it warms my heart that our goal is being accomplished.”

The youth raised thousands of dollars for several years to help pay for the $45,000 playground, but fell short. Last year, the council decided to help the youth with fundraising and conceived the benefit golf tournament. This year, the goal is to finish paying for the playground with any excess funds to go to youth ministries.