Sandhills Buckeyes,

Our club celebrated its second birthday on June 3. Being a part of this club has been an awesome and rewarding experience. You, as the members, have stepped forward and made this one of the best clubs in the nation. Yes, in the nation. There has been so much progress made. Your support has been unprecedented and truly appreciated.

While our club has enjoyed participating in many events, one of this year’s highlights was when our club had the honor of hosting the Ohio State University’s Women’s Golf Team. While Mother Nature was not very cooperative during this event, and the tournament canceled, we at least got to enjoy an evening dining with the OSU coaches and the players. Some of our members were generous enough to house the team while they were in Pinehurst. That deserves a special thanks!

Our club this past year also received the highest possible OSUAA award, the Gold Star. Archie Griffin presented the Outstanding Club’s flag to our members who attended the OSU Alumni Leadership Conference. This flag represents the hard work and support each and every Sandhills club member demonstrated on a voluntarily basis throughout our first year. Congratulations Sandhills Buckeyes!

Speaking of accomplishments, Jonathan Gribben of West End was awarded with our club’s first scholarship. Jonathan graduated this past spring with honors and will eventually be stationed at Fort Bragg. We are very proud of Jonathan and his accomplishments at OSU.

Activities our club enjoyed this past year included: holding a Thank You Party for all Board Members and their committee members; participating in a Wine and Paint Party; playing in a Fun Golf Outing; attending all football games and cheering on the Buckeyes; packaging and delivering personal items to the Wounded Warriors at Fort Bragg; participating in the Fayetteville multi-cultural Dogwood Festival; going on the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer; celebrating a Graduation Party with Jonathan Gribben; dining with the OSU women golfers; attending the Greensboro Women’s Golf Tournament when OSU played; awarding a scholarship to Brady Lievens of Winston – Salem; and, attending Big Ten Basketball Play-off games.

Our club was also featured in the Ohio State Alumni Magazine this past year. If you missed it, you can find the article in the May-June 2009 edition, page 57.

For anyone planning to visit our area, we are always receptive to having another Buckeye in our midst. We meet at Beef O’Brady’s in downtown Fayetteville at 229 Hay Street, 910-423-1222, or in Southern Pines at The Bell Tree, 155 NE Broad Street, 910-692-4766. Or, contact Nancy Phelps at gphelps2@nc.rr.com.