Birkdale Golf Club to host Garrett Carnes Golf Tournament

by Katie Orlando



HUNTERSVILLE – The Lake Norman community is coming together again to show support and raise money for a hometown Marine injured in the line of duty.

Corporal Garrett Carnes, a 22-year-old Mooresville resident, lost both legs in an improvised explosive device explosion while serving in Afghanistan. After multiple surgeries, Carnes is recovering at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland.

The Garrett Carnes Golf Tournament at Birkdale Golf Club on June 9 will raise money for Carnes and his wife, Courtney, to support them through months of physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Mooresville welcomed Carnes home April 20 and presented the hometown hero with the key to the city. Since February, community members and friends have pitched in to support Carnes and his family.

Carnes’ father John said the family will have to miss the golf tournament. Instead, Carnes will be in town to see his younger brother graduate from Mooresville High School that day.

But John Carnes said they’ll do their best to stop by and thank supporters.

John Carnes said his son is doing great. Carnes will be recovering in Maryland for another year and a half, but he’s doing well enough to spend some time with his platoon in Hawaii, where he was stationed before and where his fellow marines have recently returned from Afghanistan.

“It’s mental therapy for him and his marines that he’s stationed with,” John Carnes said.

Carnes will be back in Mooresville on June 8 to see his brother graduate before returning to Walter Reed hospital.

Mark Perez is working with his neighbors in the Kistler Mill subdivision of Mooresville to organize the golf tournament. Garrett and Courtney Carnes live in the adjacent Curtis Pond neighborhood, and Perez said the neighbors all knew each other from seasonal gatherings. So when Carnes lost his legs, the neighborhood came together to help.

“There’s a lot of people stepping up in the Mooresville community,” Perez said.

Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served before the shotgun start at 2 p.m.

The tournament costs $110 per player and will follow captain’s choice rules. Prizes will be awarded for longest drive and closest-to-the pin on certain holes.

Sponsorships are available for the longest drive contest and closest-to-pin contests.

A silent auction will follow the tournament with food and donations from local businesses.

Neighbor and organizer Kathy Corum said local businesses including Prickly Pear restaurant, ChiroLife Wellness Center in Mooresville and Pro Chef have donated money and goods for the event.

“It’s overwhelming to see everybody come out and support (Garrett and the family),” John Carnes said. “The whole town has just rallied around us, from the mayor on down.”

Register at the tournament or in advance at www.garrettcarnesgolftournament.com.

Want to go?

Where: Birkdale Golf Club, 16500 Birkdale Commons Pkwy., Huntersville

When: June 9, 2 p.m.

Cost: $110 per person

Details: www.garrettcarnesgolf
tournament.com