It is time again for the annual golf tournament to benefit Special Olympics Area 7, and the tournament will on Saturday 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.

One of the best and most enjoyable parts of this tournament is that the players 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, and it gives you a chance to see what life like is like for someone that only understands love.

The generosity of local businesses and individuals in our area community is overwhelming to say the least. In the summer of 2014 we are hoping that some of our Area 7 athletes will have a chance to attend and participate at the National Special Olympics Games in Princeton, N.J., and funds raised from our tournament will help with expenses for our athletes.

There are more than 16,000 special athletes registered in Mississippi and each area is responsible for raising funds to support their area, and this tournament is our only fundraiser to help our athletes. The weekend of May 10-12 we will be going to Biloxi at Keesler Air Force Base for the annual summer games, and Area 7 usually takes 60 to 70 Athletes. Also, the annual Torch Run for Special Olympics will be at the Gazebo on the Natchez Bluff at 9 a.m. on Thursday, 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 and encouragement. Wal-Mart Supercenter of Natchez will be providing refreshments.

This year’s tournament will be a four-man scramble as in the past, and the tee time is at 8:30 a.m. At this time we still have a few team slots available, and cost per team is $300, but these won’t last long, so if you are interested in having a team please contact me as soon as possible.

Also, you can support this tournament by sponsoring a T-hole for $100, sponsor an athlete to play for $75, donate door prizes or 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 sponsored by the Adams County Sheriff’s Department for $3,000 cash and $500 for second-closest ball. Plenty of 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 importantly is our Special Olympics Area 7 Director, Mrs. Tommie Jones and the committee that helps with organization and works very hard behind the scenes to make this tournament one of the best and most popular in our area every year.

Most are parents of our athletes and generous caring volunteers and without their help and hard work this tournament would not be possible. Lunch will be provided by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, and the local chapter of the VFW. 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 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. Our special athletes and their families 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.