It was a beautiful day on Monday at Northgate Country Club as more than 140 golfers teed off for a great cause — supporting Spring ISD students and teachers through the Spring ISD Education Foundation’s 23rd Annual Tee Up for Education Golf Tournament.
With sunny skies, laughter among teams, and friendly competition on the course, the event raised over $100,000 to fund classroom grants, student scholarships, and district initiatives across Spring ISD.
Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar said the tournament reflects the spirit that has defined the Spring ISD Education Foundation for more than 30 years.
“What I love about this event is that it captures who we are as a district — a family that shows up for one another,” Cuellar said. “When our community steps forward to invest in our teachers and our students, that’s when transformation happens. The Spring ISD Education Foundation and every partner out here today are helping us open doors of opportunity for every child.”
For the Spring ISD Education Foundation, that difference means opportunity. Established in 1992, the foundation is a nonprofit organization led by volunteers whose sole purpose is to fund student scholarships, teacher grants, and special programs that inspire learning and innovation throughout the district.
“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” said Sandra Harper Scott, executive director of the Spring ISD Education Foundation. “Our golfers are excited, getting their raffle and golden tickets, and we’re set for a 10 a.m. tee off and a wonderful day of golfing — all to raise funds for the students of Spring ISD.”
Morrison emphasized that the foundation’s work extends far beyond the tournament itself.
“This tournament is one of our most important fundraisers of the year,” said Kathi Morrison, co-president of the Spring ISD Education Foundation. “It’s fun for our donors, but the money we raise goes a long way toward giving our students and teachers the best chance to succeed. We want to make sure our students keep winning with the resources we have around us — tapping into their future, their education, and supporting lifelong teachers who want to stay in the field, because without them, we wouldn’t have the amazing students we have today.”
For Dr. Berky Hernandez, the foundation’s vice president of development, the event represents how every swing and every donation contributes to student and teacher success.
“Every time they swing out there, that’s one step closer for one of our students to get into college or finance their college career,” Hernandez said. “It’s also another opportunity for a teacher to receive the grants and resources they need in their classroom so they can prepare that student for the future.”
Lott Johnson, who chairs the foundation’s golf committee, said the tournament’s purpose keeps him coming back year after year.
“One of the main reasons I’ve been participating for so long is because of the students,” Johnson said. “Every dollar goes toward scholarships for them and grants for teachers who need extra resources. I have two kids who graduated from Spring ISD, so this is personal to me — it’s about giving back to a district and a community that’s given so much.”
As golfers made their way across the course, they also enjoyed friendly competitions like Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin, plus a post-tournament awards ceremony, raffle drawings, and a community reception.
The Education Foundation of Harris County took first place with the best score of the day, followed by DBR in second, and iSphere in third. H-E-B was also recognized as the top producer, contributing $350 to the fundraiser.
For Donna Lewis, one of the SISD Education Foundation’s founding members, the joy comes not only from the event itself but from the long-lasting impact of service.
“For me, to be a volunteer in the school district is one of the greatest pleasures I’ve ever had,” Lewis said. “Having been a former school teacher, I feel like I’m using my education to help others further theirs. I hope that whatever I’ve done has encouraged someone to move forward — and maybe they’ll volunteer too, because being a volunteer is a gift you give to others.”
On this course, every swing, every donation and every smile pointed to one thing: when the community backs its schools, students get the chance they deserve.
“It takes the community and it takes the village,” Scott said. “We’re all here because we believe in what education can do, and today, we got to have fun doing it.
The lead sponsor was Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott and presenting sponsor H-E-B. Additional supporters included DBR, iSphere, AutoArch, BenQ, ABB, and other valued community partners.