Golfing for bow ties: AFHS Bow Tie Club holds tournament

Sweetwater Country Club welcomed golfers from near and far to participate in the inaugural Allendale-Fairfax Bow Tie Tournament on a chilly November 4 morning.

The Bow Tie Club was established at the Allendale County School District (ACSD) in September to serve as a mentorship program ensuring students have access to formal clothing.

“I wanted to make sure all the students had bow ties, dress shirts and dress pants to be able to go out and look nice, because I know all the students can’t afford it,” said Allendale-Fairfax High School (AFHS) Assistant Principal and Special Education Coordinator, Stanley Rogers.

Twenty golfers from Allendale and Barnwell counties, and even Columbia, came to support the club and play in a friendly captain’s choice tournament. $1,840 was raised to purchase dress attire for AFHS students at the event.

Rogers was inspired by a fellow educator and friend in Fairfield County to start the club at AFHS, which now has 25 members.

“It changes the culture,” said Rogers, who sees the excitement in his students toward attending events with a more formal look. “We’re going to be doing a lot of initiatives within the bowtie club.”

With a new club comes fundraising toward initiatives like Rogers said. This is only the first of many for the Bow Tie Club to fund well-dressed outings like college tours, basketball games, and movie viewings.

“If we travel or go somewhere, this will offset the cost of things they have to purchase,” said Command Sergeant Major Norman L. Fisher Jr.

The golf tournament was held in partnership with AFHS’ JROTC program run by Lieutenant Colonel Marvin Brown and CSM. Fisher.

“We have 10 students from Allendale here today,” said CSM. Fisher. “Four young ladies and six young men, they’re cadets in JROTC.”

“We have our drone students out here today, some of them are JROTC students, and some are Bow Tie Club members,” said Rogers.

Drone students were working with Kendrick Gilliam and Corey Simmons of Double V AeroSpace. Gilliam and Simmons are veteran pilots of the Army each with 20-plus years of experience, and partnered with ACSD to promote interest in aviation.

“It’s about inspiring the next group of aviators,” said Gilliam. “This is a simple and easy way to get them involved in flying.”

Many drone students were trained last year when the partnership began to understand the ins and outs of flying a drone. Now, these students are able to showcase their aviation skills in the field– or in this case, the golf course.

AFHS Bow Tie Club members, JROTC cadets, and aspiring drone enthusiasts all joined forces to put on this fundraiser, which proved to be a success.

“It makes me feel good to see everyone come out together and be excited about these new initiatives, and just growing,” said Rogers.

Not only did golfers from Barnwell and Allendale counties sign up to play, but retired veteran and avid golfer, Fred Kearse, even came from Columbia.

“I love to participate with JROTC, and I think it’s a great program,” said Kearse. “I’m happy to be here today and give them some support.”

Kearse was not the only one proud to be a part of this event.

“It makes me feel good to see everyone come out together, being excited about these new initiatives, and just growing,” said Rogers. “As long as the students are happy and learning, I have no complaints.”

For more information about AFHS’ Bow Tie Club or JROTC program, visit https://afhs.acs.k12.sc.us/o/afhs.