MINT HILL, N.C. – A beautiful day to celebrate a beautiful life. “I think Reed probably thinks this is excessive and would not want the notoriety, but he definitely deserves it,” says Julie Parlier with a smile and laugh. She created the Reed Parlier Golf Tournament in honor of her son to help other students further their education since he couldn’t. She says, “I’m overwhelmed. I cannot believe how much community, family and friends have stepped in to support us and to help us keep Reed’s memory alive.”
120 golfers signed up to play. Parlier says that is their max amount of golfers and that they had to turn some golfers away this year. The goal was to raise $60,000.
Dave Rutger is one of the golfers who signed up. He says, “The Parliers are dear friends of ours. And it was such a tragedy to happen at UNC Charlotte.” Rutger has played in the tournament every year. He says, “(It) is a great legacy for Reed moving forward for the field that he was studying and just keeping his name alive with a tradition.”
After a beautiful day on the course, golfers headed inside Pine Lake Country Club for dinner and a silent auction. Great items were available, from bourbon to jewelry to a UNC Charlotte football signed by head coach Biff Poggi. This year’s silent auction also featured a beautiful butterfly tree. The Parlier family says the butterfly represents Reed. Julie Parlier says, “Reed was a very kind, sweet, soft spoken, intelligent, compassionate individual. He would have grown into a beautiful young man.”
So far, more than $425,000 have been raised over the past four years for the scholarship in Reed’s name. More than 20 students and counting have been helped.