HOUSTON – Oct. 24, 2019 – Heavy morning rains did not stop community partners and business owners from showing up at Northgate Country Club on Monday ready to tee off for the 15th annual Spring ISD Education Foundation’s “Tee Up for Education” charity golf tournament.
The Education Foundation, in its 26th year, hosts the tournament annually to raise money to support Spring ISD students and teachers through scholarships and grants. The event is a fun tradition for the Spring community and brought out more than 75 golfers for the Education Foundation’s biggest fundraiser.
“This is our second golf tournament for the year, and our goal this time is to help support
the district’s Lift 6 initiative,” said Spring ISD Foundation Executive Director Sandra Harper Scott. “With this second tournament we’re getting back on track for our annual golf tournament, which occurs every fall. We’re happy to have had most of our sponsors come out twice this year.”
The event kicked off with a morning golf clinic courtesy of PGA professional Mancil Davis before a shotgun start at noon. Golfers were able to take advantage of several charity initiatives along the course, including a Hole-in-One with a $10,000 cash prize, Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin contests.
“The tournament is always very well organized and fun,” said Jeff Newman of Tarkett. “That’s why we continue doing it every year. Participating is worth your money, and meeting a lot of people.”
George Flowers of Fallbrook Church said the biggest highlight of the tournament for him is being able to help give directly to Spring ISD students. Michael Darlow of Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLC had similar sentiments.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to raise money for some great programs that the Foundation does for students and teachers in the district,” said Darlow.
The Foundation’s goal for this Monday’s tournament aimed to raise $75,000. Anyone could participate – including non-golfers, who were invited to join the golfers for an evening dinner with a raffle, silent auction and awards presentation. Stephen Havemann, a Spring High School alumnus, was the winner of a brand-new, shiny red golf cart.
“We’re so grateful for all of the support from golfers and our sponsors,” said Education Foundation President Ken Grays. “Without their generosity, we would not be able to award scholarships to so many deserving students in Spring ISD.”
In addition to the charity golf tournament, the nonprofit organization supports districtwide and school-based programs and initiatives throughout the year, which include delivering grants to campuses via the Grant Express and providing books for children at the Winter Wonderland literacy event.
“We’re raising money because we want to enhance the lives of kids at Spring ISD,” said Education Foundation Board member Brandon Huffman. “Teachers can also go after grants, especially the ones who can’t get the funds to complete what they need. We just want to do what we can to raise the money to help the kids as much as possible.”
In May 2020, the Education Foundation plans to award thousands of dollars in student scholarships to Spring ISD students heading off to college next year. The winners will be announced at the end of the 2019-20 school year.
Sponsors for Monday’s Spring ISD Education Foundation Golf Tournament included: Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLC, Gallery Furniture, H-E-B, Chick-fil-A, HCA, Satterfield & Pontikes, Bentley & Associates, InvesTex, Stantec, PBK, Stantec, Koala Kare LLC, ABM, Edgenuity Inc., Pfluger Architects, Frost Insurance, Durotech Foundation, Terry and Jill Wright, AutoArch, GPD Group, Achieve3000, Fallbrook Church, VLK Architects, Statewide, Acme Brick, Layer 3 Communications, Unify Energy Solutions, Putterman Scharck/PSA Lighting, Tarkett, Mohawk Group, Kirksey Architecture, BBVA, SRTIS, Shell Federal Credit Union, Collegiate Avenues, Piper Jaffray & Co., Linder Young Learners, CMTA, Inc., Spring Guns and Ammo, and Totally You Mobile Spa.