Stormy weather on April 26 was no match for the 2010 Charity Classic Inter-Club Challenge. Twenty foursomes from local country clubs and their clubs' golf pros banked on the storm being short-lived and were rewarded when skies cleared for a delayed afternoon start at The Old Collier Golf Club. The tournament raised $100,000, benefitting the children of Immokalee through a partnership of The Immokalee Foundation and The First Tee of Naples/Collier Program in Immokalee. The winning teams were from Hideout Golf Club (men's) and The Club at Mediterra (women's).

Referring to the earlier storm, tournament co-chair Tom Weyl joked with golfers gathered to tee off, "The Immokalee Foundation has overcome a lot through the years; but maybe not quite like this." He added, "Thanks to our presenting sponsor Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, our host The Old Collier Golf Club and other corporate gold sponsors and underwriters, your participation today goes right to the bottom line - helping the children of Immokalee."

Also addressing the golfers were TIF executive director Liz Allbritten and Cindy Darland, executive director of The First Tee of Naples/Collier, who told the crowd, "Because of you, the children of Immokalee can learn to play the game of golf and learn life skills along the way."

Fifty Immokalee students take part in The First Tee of Naples/Collier Program in Immokalee, and 10 of those students with top grades were to have participated in the Inter-Club Challenge. However, with the storm making morning travel from Immokalee difficult and the delay in play, the students were not able to participate. "We were all disappointed the students could not be here, and we look forward to having them join us at next year's tournament," said Kevin T. Johnson, tournament co-chair.

The First Tee of Naples/Collier Program in Immokalee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to positively impacting the lives of young people by teaching them nine core values through the game of golf. Proceeds from the Inter-Club Challenge will help support The Immokalee Foundation's seven core programs, one of which is The First Tee of Naples/Collier Program in Immokalee. Other TIF programs are Take Stock in Children Immokalee, College Success, Immokalee Readers, Direct Scholarships, Vocational Success and Community Grants.

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 Program in Immokalee, call 239-825-4851 or visit www.thefirstteenaplescollier.org.