Institutional Advancement

Rocky Covington ’69 Invitational Golf Tournament benefiting Barton College

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Saturday, September 16, 2023, was a splendid day of golf and fellowship, honoring the life of the late Robert “Rocky” Covington ’69. Alumni and friends gathered at Covington’s home course, Arcadia Shores in Myrtle Beach, to pay tribute to a generous man who loved life and supported an institution that meant so much to him. The tournament raised more than $30,000 for Barton College. A native of Rockingham, N.C., Covington was a standout member of the basketball team for four years, gaining All-Conference Honors and, more impressively, All-Academic Conference Honors for four years. Inducted into Barton’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007, Covington stated that evening, “Going to Barton was one of the most important decisions of my life because of the people I met and the way the total experience there prepared me for life. It gave me a strong foundation to fulfill my potential. It was the best four years of my life, and I would do it all over again. Some of the guys I went to school with are still my best friends today, many years later.”

Rocky’s Hole In One, July 28, 2011

Covington majored in Business Administration and was a campus leader, both with the Student Government Association (SGA) and Sigma Phi Epsilon. After graduation, he joined Truist, then BB&T, and worked his way up the corporate ladder before starting his own business, Covington International Inc., a marketing company that focuses on e-commerce and grew into a successful enterprise.

Left to right: Wayne Norris ’71, Bobby Gilmore ’69, Tom Parham ’63, and Tom Maze

Covington was a dedicated alumnus who loved his alma mater. In addition to his engagement as an alumnus and frequent trips to Barton to visit the campus, he faithfully supported the College financially. The love of his life, Sandy, wanted to have a day where everyone could gather to reminisce on the golf course and also raise funds to help support the mission of his beloved alma mater, Barton College. She shares, “Rocky loved his alma mater, and this scholarship is a great opportunity to help pave the way for current students to fulfill their college dreams and career goals.” A special thank you to Sandy and all that participated in in this inaugural event. 

To learn more about making a gift to Barton in memory of a loved one, contact Thomas Maze, Assistant Vice President for Leadership Giving at [email protected] or (252) 399-6533.

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