Photo provided / Chris Freeman retrieves his ball from the ninth hole of the Arnold Palmer Golf Course at Oglebay Resort where he scored a hole-in-one Monday during the Lary Loew Hilltopper Golf Scramble.

WEST LIBERTY — The Lary Loew Hilltopper Golf Scramble resulted in a hole-in-one for one alumnus and golfer, Chris Freeman of Wheeling. Freeman scored the ace on the ninth hole of the Arnold Palmer Golf Course, Oglebay Resort on Monday.

Freeman won a complete set of TaylorMade Irons, courtesy of Bob Robinson Auto Group. The scramble benefits the Hilltopper Athletic Club and all proceeds go toward scholarships and other needs supporting WLU Athletics.

A total of 22 teams participated in the scramble named after alumnus Lary Loew, formerly of Wheeling.

“It’s great to see the support for Hilltopper Athletics and our students. We are especially grateful for the ongoing support of the Loew family and their business, The Cornerstone Group,” said President Stephen Greiner, who participated in the scramble for his first time since joining the university last fall.

Besides Cornerstone and the Loew family, other major sponsors include: Grand Vue Park, Hole ‘n Run, Progressive Bank and TJ’s Sports Garden Restaurant who catered the dinner that followed the scramble.

Loew died in 2012 at age 59 after a serious illness and the annual Hilltopper Golf Scramble was renamed in his honor.

Loew studied economics at WLU, graduating with honors in 1975. He was an award-winning professional for the Equitable Life Assurance Society (now AXA Financial) and was inducted into the its hall of fame. He also founded his own company, The Cornerstone Group, the only full-service employee benefits agency in West Virginia.

“Lary was an avid supporter of WLU athletics and its educational mission and because of his huge interest in golf, he left an impression on many golfers. So this is a perfect way to memorialize him every June. West Liberty University is fortunate to enjoy the support of the Loew family and all our alumni and friends who make it a very special event,” Alumni Director Ron Witt said.

Loew was added to the WLU Alumni Wall of Honor — the highest honor the alumni association can bestow on a graduate — in 2011. His sisters, Brenda Thomas, Sharon Saseen and Carol Loew support the golf scramble and the university in many ways. Additionally, Lary’s companion, Colleen Blon, also contributes to the effort.

Loew was active in the Wheeling community and served on the boards of the West Liberty University Foundation, Northwood Health System, American Legion Post 1 and the West Virginia Golf Association. He had a passion for golf and enjoyed playing many courses with his friends/brothers. He served as commissioner of the Oglebay Golf Gang and was an active member of the Lunch Bunch at Long Cove Club in Hilton Head, S.C.

For more information or to be placed on the mailing list for the Lary Loew Golf Scramble 2017, please visit www.westliberty.edu or call 304-336-8888.