One of Greenville’s best known citizens–and quite possibly the Alabama Crimson Tide’s biggest and most knowledgeable living fan–is about to be honored with a sporting event and scholarship in his name.

The Colin “Big C” MacGuire Endowed Scholarship Golf Tournament is set for Friday, May 12 at Greenville’s Cambrian Ridge.

The local alumni chapter of the University of Alabama is putting the event together, says Elizabeth Matthews, chapter president.

“The golf tournament will be in a fun four-player “scramble” format. We are anticipating a large number of golfers, including some former Crimson Tide football players, who will be participating in the event,” says Matthews. “There will also be a dinner event that evening for golfers and chapter members who register to attend.”

The entry fee for golfers is $100; two mulligans plus a drawing ticket is $25. Hole sponsorships are $100 each with additional sponsorship levels available, and include one reception ticket. Tickets to the reception only are $30.

Registration kicks off at noon that Friday, with the shotgun starting at 1 p.m. An awards ceremony and reception with barbecue and beverages is slated for 6 p.m. at 600 Terrell Street in Greenville.

Establishing a new scholarship for local students has been a  longtime goal of the Butler County chapter—and no one seemed a better choice than Fort Dale Academy graduate MacGuire, who served as student manager of the Crimson Tide football team in the 1970s under the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant.

“The new scholarship, the Colin ‘Big C’ MacGuire Endowed Scholarship, does two things. First, it helps deserving students from the Butler County area who are interested in attending the University of Alabama offset the ever-increasing cost of college,” explains Matthews. “And second, it recognizes ‘Big C’ for all that he has done to promote the University of Alabama over the course of his lifetime.”

As for the colorful Big C—radio, Facebook (and Swedish reality TV) personality, sports columnist and authority on all things Crimson Tide (he literally wrote the trivia book and is very rarely stumped)–he says he was truly taken by surprise by this big news.

“It’s very flattering, a really nice honor that they wanted to do this in my name—and it’s humbling, too,” MacGuire says. “I figured when Van Huggins and Cody Wesley said they wanted to come and talk to me it was something Alabama-related, but I sure didn’t expect a scholarship in my name and this golf tournament. And to think my name is going to live on through this scholarship after I am dead and gone. Well, that means a lot.”

According to Matthews, scholarships are awarded by the Butler County UA Alumni Chapter to deserving students from the Butler County area. All students who apply for scholarships at the University of Alabama by the December deadline of their senior year in high school will automatically be considered for the local chapter scholarships. 

Matthews says that one hundred percent of the proceeds from the May 12 golf tourney will be used to endow this new scholarship, with the chapter hoping the entire amount needed will be raised this year.

“It’s important to note that all funds raised locally will be matched between 80 and100 percent by the UA Alumni Association through their car tag scholarship matching program,” says Matthews.

“For the last two years, the matching level has been 100 percent. Therefore, each dollar given will be almost or completely doubled. Many individuals and businesses have already generously supported or donated to this worthy cause, and we know there may be more who want to participate.”

MacGuire is excited about the prospect of seeing some of the former Crimson Tide players turn out for the event.

“We are not sure about who all will be able to make it, but we know several are planning to come . . . I hope we can raise a lot of money for this scholarship to help somebody get their chance to go to Alabama,” MacGuire says.

For more information about the upcoming tourney, contact Van Huggins at vhuggins@centurylink.net or by phone at 334-714-3416 or Cody Wesley at codyhwco@camelliacom.com or call 334-303-9374.