The annual golf tournament to benefit Special Olympics Area 7 will be Saturday, April 28, at Duncan Park Golf Course.

This tournament has become a favorite of area golfers because it benefits Mississippi Special Olympics Area 7 sporting events and activities and they also have a chance to play golf with some of our special athletes.

If you have never played golf with a special athlete you don’t know what you are missing. Most golfers say it’s the most fun they have ever had playing golf!

The generosity of local businesses and individuals in our area community is like nowhere else. If it wasn’t for the overwhelming generosity and support of this important event these special athletes would not have the opportunity to participate in sporting events throughout the year. There are more than 16,000 special athletes registered in Mississippi and each area is responsible for raising funds to support the athletes in each individual area.

The weekend of May 11-13 we will be going to Biloxi at Keesler Air Force Base for the annual summer games. Also the annual Torch Run for Special Olympics will be at the gazebo on the Natchez bluff at 9 a.m., Wednesday, May 9, sponsored by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Please come out and cheer on the deputies as they run the torch through the streets of downtown Natchez on its way to Biloxi, and purchase a torch run T-shirt to help support this event.

This is also a chance to meet some of our Special Olympics athletes and show your support. Walmart Supercenter of Natchez will be providing refreshments.

This year’s tournament will be a four-man scramble as in the past and tee time is at 8:30 a.m. At this time all team slots have been filled but you can still support this tournament by sponsoring a hole for $100 or sponsor an athlete to play for $75.

You can also donate door prizes or just make a donation in support of this event. Lunch, refreshments and plenty of door prizes as well as a silent auction will be held. At the end of the tournament we will have our ball drop for $3,000 cash and $500 for second closest ball.

Weather permitting, local hot-air balloon pilot Stephen Guido will tether his balloon over the hole and drop the balls for us. Tickets are still available at $20 each and are available from any of our committee members or you can contact me for your ticket. Only 350 will be sold so hurry before they are all gone!

All funds raised from the golf tournament stay local to provide programs for our athletes Special Olympic sporting events.

There are so many supporters that make this annual event a huge success. First and most important is our Special Olympics Area 7 Director, Mrs. Tommie Jones and the committee that helps me organize and work behind the scenes to make this tournament one of the best and most popular held in our area every year.

Most committee members are parents of our athletes and without their help and hard work this tournament would not be possible. Lunch is provided by the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Randy Maxwell and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Chuck Mayfield, Deputies Charles Harrigill and Buddy Frank. Plenty of refreshments will be provided by many local vendors who are so generous with their donations.

Hole in one prizes are courtesy of Great River Chevrolet GMC. Sponsor signs are donated by Southern Signs.

Your financial support and generosity for this special event is appreciated and if you would like to help out, you can make your tax deductible donation to: Special Olympics Area 7, and mail to: Ricky Warren, 108 Tanglewood Road, Natchez, MS 39120.

If you have any questions you can call me at 601-597-4724. We also have an account set up at Regions Bank and you can drop off your donations there.

We thank you and most of all our special athletes thank you for your generosity and send you their unconditional love for allowing them the opportunity to participate in Special Olympics sporting events and activities.

 

Ricky Warren is co-chairman of the golf tournament and a proud parent of a Special Olympics athlete.