Since 2018, the leadership committee of the Patricia Neal Golf Classic has presented the Charlie Mink Volunteer of the Year Award to a deserving member of our cadre of volunteers who support this event. The award was established in memory of longtime committee member Charlie Mink to honor his many years of service and dedication to the Patricia Neal Golf Classic and the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center (PNRC).
Each year we are challenged to select just one winner from among the many individuals who give of their time and talents to raise funds and make this golf tournament successful. Past winners have included Al Kaye, who leads the recreation therapy programs at PNRC; the late Rocky Goode, who was a founding member and former multi-year chairman of the Golf Classic leadership committee; and Rafe Smith, also a longtime leadership committee member and former tournament chairman.
This award recognizes an outstanding volunteer who embodies Charlie Mink’s self less volunteer spirit and drive to support the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center. The winner of the 2021 Charlie Mink Volunteer of the Year Award is David Bluford. David is the chaplain at Parkwest Medical Center and has given hundreds of hours outside of his normal (if there is such a thing for a chaplain) workday to support philanthropic and community service efforts across Covenant Health. Patricia Neal Golf Classic participants are familiar with being greeted by his welcoming smile and offer of assistance as they pull up to bag drop on tournament day. David has captained that segment of the Classic for many years, leading a team of volunteers to ensure that each participant receives excellent customer service and finds their clubs ready and waiting at their cart when tee time approaches. We are so grateful for his generosity!