September 26, 2004
Two Groups Sponsoring Adult/child Scramble-format Golf Tournament
By Phil Weber
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
The First Tee of Great River program and the Sammy Fund are joining forces on October 17 to offer families a chance to have some fun while helping a good cause.
The organizations are working together to sponsor an adult/child scramble-format golf tournament at the Knights of Columbus nine-hole,
par-3 course. The event, which costs $25 per person, begins at 2:30 p.m. and will also include children’s activities, a raffle and a silent auction. Children ages 7 – 12 are allowed to participate.
“Working with the Sammy Fund volunteers exposes people to what First Tee does. We’re happy that it also brings more families out to participate in all the activities following golf,” said First Tee Director Mark Thomas.
First Tee’s tournament is in addition to the fifth annual Sammy Event golf tournament held at Westview Golf Course the same day by the Sammy Fund Group to raise money for the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund. People participating in the adult/child tournament also receive tickets to the Sammy Event dinner after the tournament.
The First Tee program creates affordable and accessible golf facilities and instructions for children. To date the chapter has exposed more than 3,000 children to the game of golf in the Great River area.
The Sammy Fund Group held the first Sammy Event in October 2000 to raise money to establish the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund with the Community Foundation of the Quincy Area. The fund serves as a memorial to Samantha Otte, who died in March of 2000 at the age of 10 after a liver transplant necessitated by cystic fibrosis.
Since its creation, the Community Foundation has awarded 39 grants worth more than $50,000 from the fund to non-profit organizations that provide worthwhile opportunities for children.
To register, or for more information about the First Tee adult/child tournament, call (217) 224-5902. For more information about the Sammy Event dinner, auction and tournament, call (217) 231-0070.
Contact Staff Writer Phil Weber at pweber@whig.com or (217) 221-3374.