Cheryl Shippey Memorial Golf Tournament

The Cheryl Shippey Memorial golf tournament, previously called the Laurel Classic, is named in memory of Cheryl Shippey, a beloved NGHS Foundation team member, who unexpectedly passed in March 2023. She was well-known in the Braselton community for her work on NGMC Braselton’s Inaugural Campaign and was instrumental in the creation of the Laurel Classic. We are proud to honor her legacy with the renaming of this special golf tournament.

2024 Sponsors
Willis Investment Logo
  • Charles and Diane Stephens
Committee Members
  • Kathy Fauscett, Chair
  • Kerri Athanas
  • Carey Baeumel
  • Audra Edwards
  • Kathy Fauscett
  • Toni Funari
  • Sherri Harrison
  • Hardy Johnson
  • David Lee
  • Tate O’Rouke
  • Russell Smith
  • Ben Sousa
  • Michelle Zimmerman

Event Details

Start Times

Player Registration – 8:00 a.m.
Shotgun Start – 10:00 a.m.
19th Hole Reception – 4:00 p.m.

Legends at Chateau Elan

5473 Legends Drive,
Braselton, Georgia 30517

Driving Directions

Making an impact

Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton’s Emergency Department was built in 2015 to serve 25,000 visits a year. Unfortunately, volumes have far exceeded capacity over the years, with more than 52,000 visits in 2022. In November 2022, Northeast Georgia Health System announced the expansion of the Braselton campus with plans to increase capacity in the Emergency Department. Proceeds from the Cheryl Shippey Memorial will go to benefit the expansion of this vital resource in the region.

Additional resources

About last year’s event

NGHS golf tournament benefits Braselton Emergency Department expansion & honors community member

Casual golfers and golfing fanatics alike recently seized the opportunity to make a difference for patients needing emergency care in Braselton. On Tuesday, Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) Foundation hosted the 2023 Laurel Classic golf tournament benefitting the expansion of the Emergency Department at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton and announced the renaming of the tournament in honor of long-time Foundation team member, Cheryl Shippey.

“Each year, this event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for health needs within the northeast Georgia community – a legacy we’re proud to carry on in Cheryl’s name,” said Sherri Harrison, chair for the tournament and NGHS Foundation board member. “This year, we’re so thrilled to have the proceeds make a difference in emergency care here in Braselton.”

The existing Emergency Department was originally built in 2015 to handle 25,000 visits per year. Today, more than double that number of patients visit the facility annually.

“Our focus is on providing the people of northeast Georgia with the best possible care when they need it most,” said Angela Gary, executive director of Trauma & Emergency Services at NGHS. “The expansion of our Emergency Department will allow us to continue that mission. We are so grateful to every sponsor, volunteer, and participant involved.”

This year’s golf tournament, presented in partnership with Jackson EMC, was held at Legends at Chateau Elan in Braselton. During the 19th hole reception, sponsored by Funari Realty and Ranger MFO, the Foundation announced that the tournament will be renamed in honor of Cheryl Shippey, a dedicated NGHS advocate who unexpectedly passed in March of this year. Cheryl was well-known in the Braselton community through her work on NGMC Braselton’s Inaugural Campaign and was instrumental in the creation of the Laurel Classic.

“Cheryl was a vital member of our team and touched many lives in the nine years she served NGHS,” said Chris Bray, president of NGHS Foundation. “We feel her loss deeply and know this is a great way to remember her service and all she meant to this community. The Cheryl Shippey Memorial Golf Tournament will keep her memory and fundraising legacy alive for years to come.”

To make a donation or learn more about the NGHS Foundation, its events and other ways to support, visit www.nghs.com/foundation.