Page 14 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2023

COAST NOTE
A Jolly
Candyland story by Lynn Lofton photo courtesy of Bacot Foundation of South Mississippi
Popularly called the Jolly, the annual Jolly McCarty Memorial Golf Tournament is an opportunity for golfers to have fun on the links and support many worthwhile community projects at the same time. This year’s event is scheduled for May 12 and 13 at Shell Landing Golf Club in Gautier. However, festivities kick off on May
12 with a gala at IP Casino in Biloxi. Joe and Kay Martin are chairing both events.
“The gala is where hundreds of supporters will flock to experience food, beverages, live music and entertainment, a super community silent auction and where 15 local non-profit groups will raise monies for themselves,” says Bacot Foundation Executive Director Todd Trenchard. “Then, 264 golfers, approximately 32 teams, will be playing in morning and afternoon flights at Shell Landing.”
This is the 20th year of the Jolly which was started by Trenchard as
a way to honor the late community leader Jolly McCarty. “Over the years it’s become one of the largest events in the region raising millions for local causes,” he said. “The event has
sold out all 20 years and has set the standard for events across the Coast.”
Special events for the tournament include a community planning breakfast, a super crawfish boil with Popeye’s chicken cooked on location and barbecue from Tay’s, and the distribution of checks to local agencies.
Scores of non-profits have benefitted from tournament funding and exposure generated each year including Boys
& Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts, the Dream Program, Humane Society of South Mississippi, Memorial Hospital Foundation, Mississippi Aquarium, Ronald McDonald House, Singing
River Health Foundation, the YMCA, Home of Grace and many others.
“Through the years the tournament has brought people together from across the Coast and has built an incalculable number of relationships,” Trenchard said.
But change is afoot. “This year marks our 20th and final year as we will announce an even larger and more expanded version as we move forward,” Trenchard said.
228.217.5791 www.bacotfoundation.org
14 | May 2023 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living