MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA – The Inaugural Foundation Classic presented by Wynlakes Golf & Country Club, a fundraising golf tournament conducted by the Alabama – NW Florida PGA for the benefit of the Alabama – NW Florida Golf Foundation, was held on August 29, 2018 at Wynlakes Golf & Country Club.
This year’s event raised over $28,000 for the Alabama – NW Florida Golf Foundation.
The Inaugural Foundation Classic featured 17 teams consisting of amateurs and PGA Professionals from all parts of the region. It was the team of PGA Professional Steve Cutler and amateurs Mike Vinson, Kyle Wideman and Emile Vaughan who took the title with a team score of 20-under par in the Net 2-Best Ball format.
The Inaugural Foundation Classic also served the Section by providing a platform to roll out new plans to revamp the Foundation’s mission and widen the scope of its outreach. “We believe in creating life-changing opportunities through the game of golf – this is our new focus for the Foundation,” says AL-NW FL PGA Executive Director, Bart Rottier. “Now is the time to start developing our resources to create meaningful programming that will positively impact communities in our Section and serve the Foundation’s mission.”
The day started with a breakfast and meeting which took place outside the clubhouse underneath the outdoor tent overlooking the 18th green. The meeting was headed by the Section’s Honorary President, Eric Eshleman, who discussed the Foundation’s successes in 2018, and future aspirations / goals the Section intends to pursue with its Foundation in the coming months and years. Eshleman, who also serves as the Director of Golf at the Country Club of Birmingham, has spearheaded most of the Foundation fundraising and development since last November. “Our Inaugural Foundation Classic was a huge hit,” says Eshleman, “we’ve had terrific engagement from community leaders all across our Section. They understand our message and mission to grow the game in Alabama and the Panhandle of Florida. Private donors and corporations are excited to help us, and we will do our best to continue telling the story of our Foundation. Thanks to all who were a part of one of our finest days.”
The day then continued with silent and live auctions featuring over 20 items up for grabs. During play there were 4 different contests for both professionals and amateurs including a hole-in-one prize on 3 of the par-3’s. Additionally, the amateur with the closest approach shot on each of the par-3’s qualified for the Million Dollar Shoot Out which took place on the 18thhole. From just over 150 yards, amateurs Ron Aldy, Brian Sheuffler, Collin McCrary and Grantland Rice III all had one chance to hole their shot and win $1 million. It was Collin McCrary who gave the hole a scare by hitting his shot right on line but coming up about 15 feet short of the hole.
The Section would like to extend its warmest gratitude and thank all of those who participated in the Inaugural Foundation Classic and for their support of the Foundation and its mission.
Finally, a big thank you to General Manager and PGA Master Professional, Brent Krause, and Head Golf Professional Steve Cutler, PGA and their staff at Wynlakes Golf & Country Club for being tremendous hosts for this inaugural event. “As the host facility for the Inaugural Foundation Classic it was critical to set the bar high for all subsequent events. It was especially gratifying to see our members, vendors and fellow [PGA] Professionals share a vision for growth and prosperity in the golf community. I believe we have taken an important step to galvanize growth of the game initiatives in the Alabama – NW Florida PGA Section… the best is yet to come,” says Krause.
To learn more about the Alabama – NW Florida Golf Foundation or how to get involved, visit http://alabamanwfloridapga.com/foundation or contact the Section office at (205) 621-6401.
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION CLASSIC
The Foundation Classic was established to become the marquee fundraising event for the 501(c)(3) of the Alabama – NW Florida PGA Section to benefit the programming and outreach the foundation provides for communities across the region.
ABOUT THE ALABAMA – NW FLORIDA GOLF FOUNDATION
The Alabama – NW Florida Golf Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the PGA Section. The mission of the Alabama – NW Florida Golf Foundation is to positively impact the lives of those who reside in the state of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through community outreaches, programs and initiatives the game of golf provides. Established in 2003, the Foundation has three (3) main areas of focus for its programming and outreach. These include, but are not limited to, engaging youth, military / veteran and diverse populations within the PGA Section.