Meals-on-Wheels Golf Benefit—the BIG 2-0!

This year’s Meals-on-Wheels Golf Benefit marks the 20th anniversary of this event. The Benefit has a colorful history, raising over $500,000 for Meals-on-Wheels since the first tournament was played. The first tournament was very small, only raising $900,” said Vinsen Faris, executive director. “It was played at the Nolan River Country Club with only a handful of golfers.” The main sponsor for this event was radio station KCLE and Earl Fletcher. Dr. Jack Burton, a member of the Meals-on-Wheels board of trustees along with Mr. Dewey C. James, Jr. rounded up the first golfers and sponsors.

“The Golf Benefit was a lot of work to get started, but this was one of the more worthwhile projects that I have been a part of,” said Dewey James, former board member and golf chairman.

Two years later, the event moved to the Lake Pat Cleburne Golf Course in Cleburne. Originally played in the spring, it was moved to an early September date and has remained there ever since. Due to an incredible following, the tournament was increased to a morning and afternoon flight in 1996. By the 10th Annual Golf Benefit, the event was raising nearly $40,000. This was also the first year that the Cleburne Lions Club began serving their famous Pilgrim’s Pride grilled chicken sandwiches.

“1997 was the year the “Golfin’ Grannies” made their debut on our t-shirts, and was the first time our Golf Benefit was sold out. This was also the year Community Bank became the Title Sponsor, and has remained so for the past 10 years,” Faris added. The Golf Benefit has been a sellout every year since. “By this time, the Benefit had grown and people knew who and what Meals-on-Wheels was about,” added James.

The Benefit in 2001 was also a special year. Paige Harris, Meals-on-Wheels special projects coordinator, noted, “the Benefit was held the Saturday after 9-11. At first we were undecided whether or not to play, and then we were unsure of the numbers of golfers playing. But, the golf course was full and everyone very patriotic. American flags were everywhere. It gave me goose bumps!” she said.

Faithful Meals-on-Wheels volunteers have always played a huge role in the Benefit by helping with every aspect from calling golfers and finding sponsors to watching holes and waiting for the elusive hole-in-one. “The Benefit is a great opportunity to get more involved with Meals-on-Wheels, but also to meet others in the community. We have heard stories of people coming out to volunteer, and walking away with a new job opportunity!” stated Faris. Almost 75 volunteers help with the event every year.

“This year’s 20th Annual Golf Benefit will be no different with excitement, and always new things to expect,” Faris said. The event is set for Thursday, September 13, 2007, at Hidden Creek Golf Course in Burleson. The event is currently sold out with over 250 golfers registered to play. Over the years, golfers have come in from all over Texas as well as out of state to play, from Florida and California. This year one golfer will be coming in from North Carolina.

Prizes totaling $5,000 will be given away to the top three teams in two flights, with a $500 cash prize for the “closest-to-the-pin” winners, morning and afternoon. In addition, there will be other opportunities to win Southwest Airline tickets, sporting event tickets to the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, and much more. These tickets are currently on sale to the public at $5 each or 5 for $20, as well as the day of the Benefit. For more information on raffle tickets, contact the Meals-on-Wheels office. You do not have to be present to win, and golfers are reminded to bring extra money for additional chances to win.

“On behalf of Meals-on-Wheels, we truly appreciate the long-time support in making this event so successful,” added Faris. “We look forward to another 20 years of golfing fun!” Mr. James concluded, “the event has definitely grown and only gotten better since the beginning.” The Benefit projects to raise over $70,000, a record for Meals-on-Wheels, and all proceeds will directly benefit Meals-on-Wheels services.

This year’s Title Sponsor is Community Bank, and top sponsors include: Atmos Energy, Mago Construction, KTFW Radio & 95.9 The Ranch, KMP Graphics, Karsten Financial Services, Wal-Mart Supercenter of Burleson, and the Star-Telegram. Other major sponsors are: Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Jeff England Motor Company, American National Bank, EOG Resources, Grandview Bank, First State Bank Texas, Gunderson Southwest, Huguley Memorial Hospital, Pilgrim’s Pride, Rangaire, Star Group Papers, Cleburne Times-Review, Trinity Metals, Valley Innovative Services, and Wells Fargo.

Past chairmen of the event include Dr. Jack Burton (deceased), Dewey James, John Dee Sledge, Mike Lehrmann, and 2006-2007 chairman, Ike Vera.

If you are interested in buying raffle tickets, sponsoring, or helping at the Golf Benefit visit www.servingthechildrenofyesterday.org or call the Meals-on-Wheels office at 817-558-2840.

Founding golf chairman, Dr. Jack Burton (1992)	Lion Lewis Isenberg cooks chicken for golfers (1998)
Patriotism and flags filled the course on September 15, 2001, following 9-11	Past golf benefit chairmen Mike Lehrmann and Dewey James get ready to play (2002)
The Golf Benefit would not be possible without the help of volunteers like Nicki & Ronny Korb	And volunteers, Becky Snider & Sharon James (2004)
Long-time Title Sponsor Community Bank’s, Tommy Forsythe, tees off (2005)	And, 2006 Top winners of Community Bank