The 2010 Inter-Club Challenge, a golf tournament that pits golf club against golf club in a friendly rivalry, is set for April 26 at The Old Collier Golf Club, with 20 local teams participating along with the clubs' golf pros. The Immokalee Foundation is hosting the tournament in partnership with The First Tee of Naples/Collier Program in Immokalee.
"Proceeds from the tournament support a brighter future for the children of Immokalee through The Immokalee Foundation's seven core programs, one of which is The First Tee of Naples/Collier Program in Immokalee," said tournament co-chair Kevin T. Johnson. Immokalee students from The First Tee of Naples/Collier will be at the tournament to cheer on teams from clubs such as Bay Colony, Bonita Bay, Calusa Pines, Grey Oaks and Mediterra. The students will also play with the teams on the Par 3s. "This is a fantastic opportunity for the teams to meet students who benefit from the proceeds of the Inter-Club Challenge, and for students to interact with their benefactors and pro golfers," said tournament co-chair Tom Weyl.
According to The First Tee of Naples/Collier Executive Director Cindy Darland, The First Tee is a national youth development organization dedicated to positively impacting the lives of young people through the game of golf. "Since 2008, we have developed a very rewarding partnership with The Immokalee Foundation," Darland said, "and together we are looking to expand The First Tee program to even more middle and high school students in Immokalee." Currently, there are 50 Immokalee students in the program, and those with the highest grades will participate in the Inter-Club Challenge. "Being invited to the tournament is an added incentive to work hard in school," said TIF Executive Director Liz Allbritten.
The 2010 Inter-Club Challenge is hosted by The Old Collier Golf Club. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney is the presenting sponsor, and other corporate gold sponsors are Fifth Third Bank (founding sponsor), Bigham Jewelers, Jaguar Naples, Porsche of Naples and Naples Illustrated. The tournament's underwriters are Arthrex, Quarles and Brady, Sagemark Consulting, and Tom and Arlene Weyl. Prize sponsors are Bigham Jewelers, Marquis Jet, Porsche of Naples & Jaguar Naples.
The Immokalee Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to building pathways to success for the children of Immokalee by providing educational opportunities from early childhood through the start of their professional lives through mentorship, after-school activities, college scholarships, vocational skills and incentives for educational growth. For more information, visit www.immokaleefoundation.org.
The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org) is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Augustine, Fla. at World Golf Village, home of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 3.5 million participants in 50 states, over 3,400 elementary schools and four international locations - Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore. Former President George H. W. Bush serves as honorary chairman. The First Tee Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. For information on The First Tee of Naples/Collier, please call 239-825-4851 or visit www.thefirstteenaplescollier.org.
