Improving Business in the Wilmington Region

13TH ANNUAL VERIZON INVITATIONAL DRAWS RECORD PARTICIPATION

1st Place:  Bill Harrington, Courtney Faircloth & Steve Gunn

2nd Place:  Steve Wilkinson, Bill Rhodes & Joel White

3rd Place:  Bob Cherry, Ned Murchison & Josh Goldstein

4th Place:  Tim Eldridge, Brian Rector & Tee Nunnelee (not pictured)

Clear skies and comfortable breezes greeted participants of the thirteenth annual Verizon Invitational Golf Tournament, held May 13th at River Landing Country Club in Wallace. Forty-six teams competed in this year’s event, which featured golf on Clyde Johnston-designed courses, food, beverages and business camaraderie. Jerry Fountain, Regional President Carolinas/Tennessee, Verizon kicked off the event with a brief speech commenting on the longtime partnership with WBD and Verizon’s commitment over the past nine years as Corporate Sponsorship of this fine event.
Wilmington International Airport (ILM) continued their additional support as the 19thHole Sponsor, and PNC rounded it out as the breakfast sponsor. RA Jeffrey’s & Coastal Beverage were also welcomed contributors to the tournament.

“The Verizon Invitational is an opportunity for WBD members to get to know each other, compete together and laugh together,” says Dickson McLean, chairman of WBD. “But the event has even greater significance for the region’s business community, helping fund critical global marketing, business retention and job creation programs for Greater Wilmington.”

Participants spoke of the event’s quality and organization. Rick Puckett, a seasoned golfer who has played in dozens of tournaments across the United States, says the Verizon Invitational “sets the standard for business golf tournaments.” Puckett, who owns and operates The Toner Exchange in Wilmington, previously spent 25 years in sales and executive positions in the office equipment industry. “I play in business tournaments regularly throughout the year,” Puckett says. “The WBD Verizon Invitational is the premiere annual golf event in southeastern North Carolina.”