This is something I believe in:' Bill Hayes' golf tournament is a way of giving back

When legendary Coach Bill Hayes plays host to his fifth annual golf tournament next month at Maple Chase Golf & Country Club, it's about the only place you will find where the Aggies and Rams get along.

That's because the fundraising tournament is about giving back to the two schools where Hayes went about building his career.

"We raise a lot of the money that goes to A&T and Winston-Salem State because a lot of those players I coached are involved in this tournament and do all the grunt work to make it work," said the 82-year-old Hayes. "I'm just sort of the mayor of this thing, so on tournament day I just go around in a cart to make sure everything is going smoothly."

The tournament is scheduled for May 15 with a morning shotgun start and an afternoon wave of golfers.

Maple Chase, which underwent a complete renovation last year and is now in great shape, is also Hayes' home course. That's another reason he doesn't have to play in his own tournament.

"I play that course enough," he joked.

Last year, the tournament raised around $110,000 and the Bill and Carolyn Hayes Foundation dispersed the money to not only HBCU's but also a couple of high schools that were in need.

Hayes said when he was coaching at WSSU and then A&T, there was usually something his program needed but didn't have the money. This tournament raises money for coaches who can spend it to make their program successful.

"I know how hard it is, so this money goes to the athletics programs at Winston-Salem State, A&T, NC Central (his alma mater) and we even sent a check to Elizabeth City State after last year's tournament," Hayes said.

Hayes said Wake Forest and John Currie, the athletics director, have been a big help with the tournament. And Jake Dickert, who is a golfer and the head football coach, has promised Hayes he will be playing.

Connell Maynor, who is an offensive analyst for Dickert, is one of Hayes' star quarterbacks at both WSSU and A&T.

"Connell wouldn't miss this," Hayes said.

Some of the friends of Hayes who have helped in the past include Mack Brown, a former coach at North Carolina and Texas, and Jerry Moore, the legendary former App State coach. Jim Caldwell, a former Wake Forest football coach, is also scheduled to play again this year.

"I have so much help with this thing and we have a silent auction where schools give us things like season tickets or signed footballs or signed helmets," Hayes said. "We raised about $16,000 last year with the auction."

Hayes said there is still room for teams or individuals to sign up. There are also several levels of sponsorships available.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.