Bob Rigsby smiles a lot this time of year.

He can't help it. Just thinking about his pet project, Moore Buddies, makes him feel good -- except when it makes him feel sad.

Rigsby is a compassionate man. He cares about a lot of things. But he especially cares about young people who could be on the verge of slipping through the cracks of society.

It can be a cruel world, especially for youngsters struggling to find themselves. Boys or girls, it doesn't make any difference. Moore Buddies is a nonprofit agency that works with the Moore County courts system to aid youths who are at risk and have found themselves running afoul of the law.

That's an awesome, despairing situation for a kid. In trouble. Not knowing where or how to get out of trouble. Getting in deeper because of a sense of rebellion often fueled by a lack of understanding both by the kid and the adults involved.

The 12th annual golf tournament for the Buddies will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, at The Pit.

Davis Clark, of Mac's Food Stores and McNeill Oil and Propane, appreciates Rigsby's efforts. Clark served as chairman for the event during the formative years.

"It got to be such a big deal, we brought Bob in a few years ago," Clark said during last year's tournament, which is held annually at The Pit Golf Links.

That event was the largest ever, with 53 teams participating in the double-shotgun start.

"One reason that we're so successful is that everything is for the kids," Clark said. "We're not a big-trophy event, but we get a lot of people to play every year because they know it's for a good cause. We've raised well over $200,000 for the program over the years."

There's a double-shotgun start to accommodate the large field. The first wave goes off at 8:30 a.m., and the second group tees off at 2 p.m.

If you want to play early, the entry fee is $85. If you're willing to wait until 2, you can play for $75. Either way, it's a deal. You get to play a premium golf course at less than the in-season greens fee, and you even get a mulligan.

The money raised by the event is vital to the Moore Buddies program. So are the volunteers who are willing to give of their time to become personally involved with one of the youngsters.

Continuing involvement by communities and corporate partnering are vital to the program. Area groups, clubs and businesses are encouraged to sponsor events, participate in programs, donate articles for prizes, and take the huge step of adopting the match of an adult with one of the youths.

Lives have been turned around and even saved by the "Buddies." These kids are in need of nurturing in the form of someone caring about them, spending time with them, letting them know that there is hope when things seem hopeless. Moore Buddies gives all that with its mentoring program

A few years ago, Rigsby sent me a copy of a parable written by Loren Eiseley. It comes to mind each time I write something about the Moore Buddies. It's titled "The Starfish," and reads:

"As the old man walked the beach at dawn, he noticed a young man picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea.

"Finally, catching up with the youth, he asked him why he was doing that.

"The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left until the morning sun.

"'But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish,' countered the old man. 'How can your effort make any difference?'

"The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and then threw it to the safety of the waves. As it met the water, he said, 'It made a difference to that one.'"

Mentors spend an average of two hours a week for a year with a young person working on goals and skill building. Group trips and activities throughout the year support and encourage these friendships.

For information or to enter the tournament, call 690-1285, e-mail moorebuddies@earthlink.net, or visit the Web site at www.moorebuddies.org.