By Douglas J. Bartels
A long-standing sense of community drives local parish church and the Knights of Columbus to use golf as a vehicle to help meet the many needs around the Emerald Coast. The members of Saint Rita’s Catholic Church in Santa Rosa Beach and their local Knights of Columbus (St. Joseph the Workman Council 17689) recently created the Knights of Columbus Annual Golf Charity Tournament event in an effort to partner with the community in providing mission support to three local organizations delivering compassion and care services to those throughout the area who need it. Tom Stipes, the event chairperson, likes to speak of the charities as “mission partners,” highlighting the true nature of the relationship, people from different aspects of the area working together for the common good of meeting the needs of others.
The first annual Knights of Columbus Annual Golf Charity Tournament is slated for April 27, with play and other exciting activities to be held at The Links at Sandestin. Registration opens at 8 a.m. and shotgun start is at 10 a.m. Mr. Stipes could not be happier with the way the event is coming together, enthusiastically stating, “I’m elated, over the moon actually,” further relating how pleased he is with the event’s reception to date from community partners and players already involved. Adding to that, many community sponsorships and contributions have been provided by local families and businesses as partners helping to ensure greater success for both the event and, ultimately, the mission partners.
Mission partners include the Point Washington Medical Clinic, Healing Paws for Warriors and Caring and Sharing of South Walton. Each are committed to meeting various needs of those living throughout the area. All event proceeds will benefit the mission partners, furthering their efforts. Many event sponsorships, in-kind donations and silent auction items have already been provided, further strengthening partnerships between those who live, work and play throughout the Emerald Coast area.
Golfers should expect top-flight treatment on the links with a bounty of things to enjoy, including tasty morsels from food partners Chef’s Bistro 30A and Jackacudas, serving up fairway food fare as golfers play through. Opportunities remain for partnering through sponsorships, gifts-in-kind, donations of silent auction items and direct financial giving.
For more information, visit www.golfkoc.com, email info@golfkoc.com or call (404) 242-6480.
A note of thanks goes out to the Perfect Pig for allowing us to conduct an interview at their Watercolor location; many thanks to the gracious staff as they attended to our meager needs while taking up valuable seating space.
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