BOONE—Winfield Beroth doesn’t play golf. Neither do his three brothers, but for the past 14 years, they have hosted the Appalachian State Scholarship Golf Classic at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons. This year, proceeds from the tournament totaled $40,000.
Since its inception, the tournament has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support student and faculty travel to conferences, student scholarships, faculty research and a professorship that provides a salary stipend and funds to enhance a faculty member’s teaching.

It’s not surprising that the Beroths don’t play golf. “It takes too much time,” Winfield Beroth says. Beroth and his brothers – Vernice Jr., George and Thornton – are busy operating Beroth Oil/Four Brothers Food Stores. The chain of 30 stores located across the Piedmont was started by their father, Vernice Beroth, Sr.
The Beroths started the tournament after seeing the success other organizations had in raising money for nonprofit organizations.

“It’s an excellent way to raise money for the Walker College of Business,” he said. “We enjoy doing it and it has become an outlet for us to get out into the community, and to do something for someone else.”
Beroth does take time each year to attend the tournament. He drives a cart throughout the course to thank those who participate.

“The support of Winfield Beroth, his family and his business associates is invaluable in terms of the difference it makes in the lives of our students and the work of our faculty members,” said Walker College of Business Dean Randy Edwards.

“The ability to offer scholarships to students, provide travel stipends that allow them to attend professional conferences and the ability to support research and professional development activities of our faculty acknowledges their talent and hard work,” Edwards said.

“Students don’t always have the money they need to do some of the things they should in college,” Beroth said. Those who stand out should be helped to reach their ambitions in life.”

Photo Caption: Presenting a check to Appalachian State University during Saturday’s football game halftime are, from left, Jeff Needham, Winfield and Judy Beroth, Jennifer and Vic Beroth, and Steve Stiller of Beroth Oil/Four Brothers Food Stores. With them are Appalachian’s Peter Vandenberg, development officer for the Walker College of Business, third from right, and Walker College of Business Dean Randy Edwards, second from right. (Appalachian photograph by University Photographer Mike Rominger)