Having a strong mentor leads to success. Whether it is through guidance, education, confidence-building or access, every child deserves a chance to benefit from the riches of positive leadership. Gene’s Dream Foundation is focused on bringing that to children.

Through the portals of competition and camaraderie, our mission is to inspire area youth to set ambitious goals and achieve them with the help of their mentors. That is what our foundation’s namesake, Gene Weldon, did for so many youngsters in the Grand Strand area, including golf broadcasters Kelly Tilghman and Charlie Rymer.

Weldon, a 44-year PGA Professional, was instrumental in the development of junior golf programs in the Myrtle Beach area. He encouraged children to embrace the game because of the life lessons and core values it had to offer. After cancer took his life in January of 2017, Tilghman joined forces with members of Weldon’s closest circle to honor his legacy by establishing a foundation that continued his life’s work.

In less than a 3-year span, Gene’s Dream Foundation has supported numerous organizations like The First Tee of Coastal Carolinas and Project Golf through signature golf tournaments, entertaining concerts, high-end auctions and educational clinics.

In 2020, our mission continues but we are very cognizant of the challenges in today’s world. During this trying time when COVID-19 has weighed so heavily on people’s lives and livelihoods, it is more important than ever to make sure our children are getting proper attention, education, and guidance. It is equally important to deliver these things in a responsible manner. This year, out of an abundance of caution, Gene’s Dream Foundation has made the difficult decision to forego our traditional concert and Dream Gala but we will combine the efforts of our two signature golf tournaments – the Mentor Cup and Dream Challenge – to proudly bring you the Mentor Challenge.

On Saturday, October 31st, join us at beautiful Tidewater Golf Club in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a day of tournament golf to raise all-important funds for area youth golf programs. We aim to put the ‘fun’ in fund-raising with a heavy focus, of course, on safety. We will conduct a full-field Captain’s Choice tournament with rolling tee times in the morning and afternoon, staged in accordance with CDC guidelines. Affectionately known as “The Pebble Beach of the East”, Tidewater is an idyllic setting with 18 holes of championship golf that meanders along the breathtaking Intercoastal Waterway.

The winning team earns a coveted spot in the National Finals at Pinehurst Resort that will be contested on March 24-28, 2021.

Having a strong mentor leads to success. Whether it is through guidance, education, confidence-building or access, every child deserves a chance to benefit from the riches of positive leadership. Gene’s Dream Foundation is focused on bringing that to children.

Entry fee is $600 per team with gifts and prizes exceeding the cost of admission. Items include Cobra King Speedzone Drivers, Cobra Megalite Golf Bags, Puma Duffel Bags and hats, Sports Beat Bluetooth Earbuds, Under Armour Sunglasses, Bridgestone Golf Balls and much more.

To register, please visit www.mentorcup.com

To donate to Gene’s Dream Foundation and support our area youth, please visit www.genesdream.com