History

SANDHILLS SHAG CLUB

EST. FEBRUARY 28, 1990

On a cool Sunday afternoon, Feb. 28, 1990, a group of Shaggers and friends met and became known as Sandhills Shag Club. Our first “home” was Crackers Night Life in Rockingham, NC. Kebo Davis, our DJ for the day, nominated Hector Phifer to be our first President. The vote was unanimous. It was during Hector’s early Presidency that SSC was accepted in ACSC/SOS.

Right away Hector had big dreams for our newly formed shag club. For the next 20+ years, SSC hosted our annual party known as “Boogie & Bogey in the Pines” in Southern Pines. Hector along with devoted members worked diligently to make this party a success. It was always held the last full weekend in July. Members and guests that stretched from Georgia to West Virginia considered it the “party of the year”.  The Friday and Saturday night parties consisted of dancing, food, door prizes and silent auctions that filled the party rooms. Saturday afternoons were fun in the sun around the pool, always with free adult beverages and grilled hot dogs with all the trimmings. Sometimes we had "celebrity guests" that made appearances, singing and doing what they did best – entertaining. "Amy Winehouse," "James Brown" and our own Vickie Skinner sang, just to mention a few. Gene Sistare and Ray Scott were our longest running DJs and they really "brought the party" to the pool parties. One Saturday night, "Kiss" showed up and really blew our minds! Martha Campbell, Patty Barnes, Vickie Skinner and Trey Campbell (as Gene Simmons) were not even recognized by our guests. They looked so authentic and preformed the skit identically to the real Kiss. It was an awesome surprise! Sam & Lisa West held free shag lessons on Saturday mornings during Boogie & Bogey while diehard golfers hit the greens. The pool parties were such a hit that before long, the golfers gave up the greens. Shaggers that attended these parties still share great memories of Boogie & Bogey at SOS and other shag events.

Sandhills Shag Club has successfully hosted several cancer benefits, 2 yard sales, supported flood victims, Hospice, Hamlet Seaboard Festivals, needy families at Christmas times, Humane Society, St. Jude, Council on Aging, Shoes for Kids, Home Health Services, Viet Nam Veteran’s of America in Rockingham Chapter 1022, supplied refreshments for Hamlet Seaboard Shag contests that Sam & Lisa West hosted at the Ballroom in Hamlet, supported benefits hosted by other shag clubs, participated in shag contests at other shag clubs, 3 local parades, SOS Parade at NMB and HOFF (Hall of Fame Foundation). Several years ago, our Line Dance team competed at NMB. Some of our club members volunteered to sell SOS cards at SOS in support of ACSC/SOS. Sandhills Shag Club members have sold beach towels, t-shirts, cozies, window decals and license plates in support of our club. Two of our members have been recipients of SOS ICON award. This is the most prestigious award a shagger can receive. Those two SSC members are Hector Phifer and Joan Gibson. 

We have had several meeting places for business & dancing during our existence: Crackers Night Life, Hugo's, Juice's Bar at Rockingham Bowling Center, the home of Hector & Carolyn Phifer, the home of Terry and Lydia Wright, Sutton Lodge, Richmond Pines Country Club and the Rockingham Moose Lodge.  Presently, we call the American Legion in Hamlet our home.  We meet the 2nd Saturday each month 7:00pm - 10:30pm.  Please come join us.  You will always be welcome at Sandhills Shag Club!