Pro golfers to raise money for Safe Harbor

AustinA second-year member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association with a Seneca background is returning to her hometown to raise money for a worthy cause—Oconee’s first shelter for victims of domestic abuse. Austin Ernst practically grew up on the Cross Creek golf course where her father, Mark Ernst, serves as pro. She golfed for Seneca High, then at Louisiana State University, and last year played as a rookie on the LPGA circuit. Austin Ernst and nine of her fellow pros have committed to a one-day Cross Creek tournament at the end of the summer. Mark Ernst this morning announced the tourney will take place Tuesday, September 23—to be preceded by a VIP event the night before. The one-day tourney will consist of the lady pros and a dozen, 4-person teams. The entry fees paid by those teams, along with the ticket sales, will go to Safe Harbor. The executive director, Becky Callaham, says this will make for a game-changer for the project. The Safe Harbor Oconee County shelter officially opens this month.