Dr. Rodney H. Mabry (third from right) accepts a check for $200,269.69 that was raised from the UT Tyler Golf Classic. The funds go to the UT Tyler Scholarship Fund. Making the presentation are (from left) Skip Ogle (Suddenlink), Todd Cruthird (Classic Society, Suddenlink), Alan Jones (Classic Society), Steve Hellmuth (Classic Society), Randall Childress (Golf Classic Chairman), Jim White (Patriot President), Jon Honea (Hole-in-One chairman), Dr. Mabry, James I. Perkins (Classic Society) and Mike Clements (Classic Society). (Herb Nygren Jr. | Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Everything is coming up aces for UT Tyler when golf is involved.

After winning the NCAA Division III national golf championship, the Patriot Golf Classic raised a record-breaking amount in 2013, Dr. Rod Mabry, UT Tyler president, announced during a gathering Thursday hosted by Randall and Darla Childress at Edward Jones Investments on Dominion Plaza.

A check for $200,269.69 was presented to Dr. Mabry for the UT Tyler Scholarship Fund. It was the largest total raised in 27 years of the fundraiser, he said.

Also, the Genecov Group stepped forward and challenged golfers to honor Bill Barrett’s memory. Mr. Barrett was a longtime supporter of UT Tyler and the Classic. The group donated $25,000 that was matched by others for $50,000 to the Bill Barrett Memorial Scholarship.

Jerre Iversen, Vice President for University Advancement, thanked the Classic Society members, who donated either $5,000 or $10,000 to underwrite the Classic, and the major sponsors.

The Classic Society members present were King Campbell, Mike Clements, Todd Cruthird, Steve Hellmuth, Alan Jones, James I. Perkins and Dr. Mabry and his wife Merle.

Iversen also thanked “the long-standing support of Suddenlink.” He recognized Cruthird and Skip Ogle of Suddenlink.

He noted KYTX-CBS 19 for being the media sponsor of the 2013 Patriot Classic, including general manager John Gaston and his wife Jennifer; and retail sales manager Joe Elliott and his wife Charlotte.

Others sponsors recognized were KLTV Channel 7 (media sponsor for 2013 UT Tyler Patriot Hole-in-One), Wagner Cadillac; new major sponsor R&K Distributors, Inc. with vice president of sales John Martin and his wife Marissa; Tyler Today Magazine editor Jennifer Gaston; and Bscene editor William Knous.

Also, Iversen thanked Tyler Morning Telegraph publisher Nelson Clyde.

Iversen also thanked Childress for chairing the Patriot Golf Classic the last two years.

He then recognized the leadership of the UT Tyler Patriots — president Jim White, Hole-in-One chairman Jon Honea and Hole-in-One vice chairman Aaron Uncapher.

Dr. Mabry then spoke about the Bill Barrett Memorial Scholarship, thanking the Genecov Group for their matching funds. Christina Godwin, a UT Tyler Patriot, and Brandon Gooding represented the Genecov Group.

“Glenda Barrett was unable to join us this evening but wanted to share the following with everyone,” Dr. Mabry said.

He then read the email she sent: “I am so deeply touched by the generosity of our friends who have kept the memory of Bill thriving. Bill had such a profound respect for higher education, and there is no greater way to fulfill one of his dreams than to provide these wonderful opportunities for others. Thank you, again, from the bottom of my heart for allowing Bill’s legacy to continue.”

Dr. Mabry then presented framed autograph Lee Trevino items to Cruthird and Childress in appreciation of their hard work. Trevino was the guest for the tournament in May. He also presented White with a plaque for serving as president of the Patriots.

The UT Tyler president also recognized Campbell for leading the Patriot golf team to the NCAA D-III men’s national championship as well as the women’s squad to a runner-up spot, and Dr. Howard Patterson, UT Tyler athletic director. Both received national awards this year — Campbell as golf coach of the year and Patterson as one of the top 28 athletic directors out of 3,000 in America.

Childress also thanked Jones for coming forward and helping the funds reach the matching total of $25,000 for the Bill Barrett Memorial Scholarship.