The 5th Annual Bill Dougherty Memorial Junior Golf Tournament is set for Friday, July 9, 2010 at Yolo Fliers Club in Woodland, Calif. This JGANC premier-ranked event is expected to attract a full field of competitors (ages 12-17) from various regions throughout Northern California. The tournament, which is conducted in memory of the late William "Bill" Dougherty, will also serve as a platform for Cart Smarts, an education program that promotes golf car safety.
Cart Smarts was co-founded by Mia Dougherty and Will Scarlett (Woodland residents and members of The First Tee of Greater Sacramento), who share their message through a brochure and website which lists Do's and Don'ts when operating a motorized golf car as well as testimonials from golfers whose lives have been altered (or that of their loved ones) due to injuries sustained during a golf vehicle mishap. The initiative serves as a reminder that nearly 1,000 Americans are injured each month in golf car-related accidents. "Our goal is to help save lives," stated Co-Founder Will Scarlett. "We continue to share safety tips so others will be more aware when operating a golf car. We believe the more citizens we reach, the less accidents will occur."
Due to their diligent work in communicating the golf car safety message, Dougherty and Scarlett are recipients of The First Tee of Greater Sacramento's Community First ("Firstee") Award. "We were shocked when we heard the news," exclaimed Dougherty. "We know the importance of golf car safety and we want to share it with others but we never expected to receive an award for our work. It is an honor that Will and I will always be grateful for."
Others in golf circles recognize the significance of their work. "I am proud of Mia and Will for their work surrounding golf car safety," stated PGA Head Professional Jeff Burger. "I am not alone, as our club members (Yolo Fliers Club) enthusiastically join me in congratulating them. We all agree, the recent recognition they've received from The First Tee is well-deserved."
It was the unexpected loss of her grandfather through a golf car mishap that served as the impetus for Dougherty and close friend Scarlett to establish a program whose message is: Be Smart in a Cart! Also supporting the Cart Smarts program is Sara Scarlett (younger sister of co-founder Will Scarlett) who serves as director of social media & community relations for the organization.
According to Scarlett (Sara), in addition to a brochure they've also established a Facebook page which helps communicate their life-saving message. Last year they distributed ball markers (bearing their logo) and recently designed fortune cookies with a golf car safety tip tucked inside, which will be distributed to all juniors participating in the BDM Junior Golf Tournament.
In addition to The First Tee of Greater Sacramento and the JGANC, Cart Smarts team members have reached out to other golf-related organizations when sharing their safety news, including Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) junior golf tournaments, Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) Junior Golf Tour events, plus Haggin Oaks Golf Expo and at Sevillano Links Golf Fore a Cause Clinic. Additionally, the Cart Smarts education initiative has received endorsement from The National Council for Better Health Through Golf, more commonly known as Doctor's Orders: Play Golf.
The Bill Dougherty Memorial Junior Golf Tournament has the support of Yolo Fliers Club and many of its members. Tournament sponsors include Alsco-Geyer, Rick and Valerie Strain, De Rosa Sales, Dougherty Farms, Nichols Farms, Pacific Coast Producers. For more information about the tournament visit http://billdoughertymemorial.com/index.html. To learn more about being Smart with a Cart visit http://www.cartsmarts.org/.
Media Contact:
Emmy
emmyPGA@aol.com
Cart Smarts Contact:
Sara
becartsmart@gmail.com
