Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 UCW 15 ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200 Care Clinic to host 28th Annual Charity Golf Tournament by ASHLEY SHIRLEY e question of affordable and accessible healthcare has long been a source of national contention. Whether for or opposed to universal healthcare and the diverse opinions in between, the fact remains that many citizens don't have a clear an- swer when the question of medical care and where to get it is asked. A trip to the doctor's office for a cold that won't go away or to refill a much-needed prescription can be as easy as making an appoint- ment and forking over the $15 for a co-pay. For those without insurance, the options become much more fraught. e average uninsured doctor's visit can run a patient anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on what's needed. Labs, x-rays and prescriptions can quickly add up. Many Americans struggle to af- ford the care they need or forego it altogether. Reliable health insurance and access to quality medical care go beyond the convenience of drive- through pharmacies and telehealth appointments. e ability to treat chronic illness, get sick and then get better in a timely fashion also con- tributes to an overall better quality of life. According to the 2019 U.S. Census on health insurance, 11.3% of North Carolina residents were uninsured, which hovered just above the national average. With over one million residents without health care coverage, North Carolina — the ninth largest state by population — is ranked as the tenth highest in the country for its uninsured rate. While some resources are avail- able across the state for those without a safety net, in Cumberland County and surrounding areas, one major source of help comes from the Care Clinic and the services it provides to people below the pov- erty line. e Care Clinic opened its doors in 1993 and has operated under one mission throughout its twenty- eight years of service: "to provide free, quality healthcare to the low-income, uninsured adults of Cumberland and bordering coun- ties." Relying primarily on volunteers, the Care Clinic provides basic primary care, dental extractions, specialty services, diabetic care, orthopedics, physical therapy, nu- trition, and an in-house pharmacy. e clinic is open on Tuesday and ursday evenings and every sec- ond and fourth Wednesday. Clients are seen by appointment only, on a space available basis. All medical staff on duty tend to their patients out of a sense of duty and a belief that all people, no matter their socioeconomic status, deserve access to quality health- care. However, access does come at a cost, and events like the Charity Golf Tournament are tremendously helpful in covering that cost. e Care Clinic will host its 28th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Gates Four Golf & Country Club on Friday, Sept. 9. After 27 years, e Tournament is an event locals look forward to ev- ery year. A tradition began with the clinic's opening in 1993; the friendly competition never fails to draw a crowd of enthusiastic golfers and avid supporters of the Care Clinic's altruism. "We have a lot of dedicated fans who look forward to it every year," Tara Martin, Director of Develop- ment and Marketing for the Care Clinic, shared with Up & Coming Weekly. "[People] who want to sup- port our mission and have some fun. It's great to get people who love golf and spread the word about the clinic — mixing fun with business and charity." e tournament is set up as Cap- tain's Choice, with check-in at 9:30 a.m., and a shotgun start at 11. Play- ers can also participate in the Hole- In-One Contest, Closest to e Hole, a putting contest, and a unique spin on poker that could potentially put a little cash in the player's pockets. Each player will also receive $100 of "Gates Four Bucks" to spend in the Pro-Shop. Participation in the tournament is open to everyone and designed for single players and groups. Registration is $300 for a single player and $1000 for groups of four. ose who want to participate but don't nec- essarily want to golf are welcome to sponsor a Fort Bragg soldier for the single player registration fee or sponsor a group of four at the group rate. After the tournament, participants will be treated to dinner and awards under the pavilion. ough the words "charity event" might trig- ger alarm bells of boredom, Martin credits the event's popularity with its relaxed, positive attitude. "I think this is an opportunity [for people] to get outside the office and interact with people they've known for years and meet some fresh new faces," she explained. "We always want to connect with the commu- nity, so it's nice to see people come every year and get to know each other and do something fun and relaxing outside." ough it's a fun event with a long history and lots of commu- nity love, Martin wants to keep the clinic's mission and the community it serves firmly at the forefront of the day's festivities. It's important to Martin that people understand a single job transition can lead to the uncertainty their clientele feel daily. "ere's such a huge need," she said. "e people we serve could be your neighbors; a single change in jobs can lead to a hard time, and you could lose your insurance. It's scary not to rely on your medical outlets; we want to be a source of comfort and care for people who need that extra hand." Gates Four Golf & Country Club is located at 6775 Irongate Drive in Fayetteville. For information on registration and sponsorship packages, visit https://the-care-clinic-annual-golf- charity.square.site/. For more information about e Care Clinic, visit www.thecareclinic. org/ or call 910-485-0555. e Care Clinic will host the annual Charity Golf Tournament on Sept. 9 to raise funds to support the clinic's efforts to offer free healthcare to uninsured adults. (Photos courtesy the Care Clinic) EVENT