Golf for Youth

The 11th annual Steaks & Sticks Golf Tournament benefitting the Claremore Zebra Sports Foundation and Rogers County Youth Services will be Friday, June 20.

Steaks & Sticks committee members (L to R): Carolyn Swopes, Bret McGuire, Sean Cox, Dave Bethea, Herb McSpadden and Delayna Trease.

In June, two organizations will once again join forces to tee off on the golf course and raise awareness for important programs that have a great impact on our community. The Claremore Zebra Sports Foundation and Rogers County Youth Services are proud to present the 11th annual Steaks & Sticks Golf Tournament on Friday, June 20 at Claremore’s Heritage Hills Golf Course.

The tournament features a four-person scramble. Individuals and businesses can get involved by playing in the tournament (by entering a four-person team for $300 or as an individual for $75), or by donating to a sponsorship. The cost of individual and team entries includes breakfast and lunch. Many sponsorship opportunities are available including: Hole Sponsor, Breakfast Sponsor, Corporate Sponsor and Radio Sponsor. The radio sponsorship includes airtime in which you speak with radio hosts and promote your business.  

Funds are used to further the missions and goals of both sponsoring organizations, each of which are dedicated to benefiting the youth of Rogers County. “This tournament helps RCYS bridge the gap that is not provided for through state and area grants,” says Steve Blahut, Rogers County Youth Services director and co-event coordinator.  

“This tournament is wonderful because you are supporting two youth specific groups in one tournament,” adds Bret McGuire of the Claremore Zebra Sports Foundation, an event coordinator for Steaks & Sticks.

Steve, Bret and other group coordinators, including Sean Cox of Claremore Zebra Sports Foundation and RCYS Board Member; Delayna Trease, volunteer; Herb McSpadden, volunteer; and Dave Bethea and Carolyn Swopes of RCYS, are all excited about continuing this event into the next decade, as they feel a golf tournament fits in with the both organizations’ philosophies of encouraging outdoor activity amongst youngsters.

“The Claremore Zebra Sports Foundation’s mission is to purchase and provide any equipment that helps with athletic conditioning and injury prevention training, and we also help by offering educational programs for coaches and staff,” says Sean Cox. “This golf tournament is a great vehicle for the community and Rogers County to support two totally youth oriented programs and have fun at the same time.” Cox also notes that Steaks & Sticks is one of the most attended golf tournaments at Heritage Hills, normally hosting more than one hundred individuals.

“The tournament grows each year, and we look forward to seeing the same people that participate each year, as well as the excitement of seeing new participants getting involved,” says Carolyn Swopes. Delayna Trease agrees, adding, “The community is so receptive to this fun golf tournament. The tradition of the Steaks & Sticks Golf Tournament is something I am fortunate to be a part of.”

All teams begin play at the shot gun start event at 8:30 a.m. Afternoon tee times begin at 1 p.m. Golfers will gather during lunch to watch a live broadcast of “The Sports Animal” with Al Jerkins and Pat Jones, who are, as Bret McGuire says, “always entertaining” and Dave Bethea calls, “one of the most listened to sports talk shows in the state of Oklahoma.” Golfers will also have the chance to win prizes in a drawing based on the amount of mulligans purchased. Past prizes have included lawnmowers, weed eaters, golf bags and clubs, and even a round of golf for four at Patricia Island.

“We are so grateful to the community and this region for their support of Rogers County,” says Steve Blahut of RCYS, which is a private, non-profit United Way agency and part of a network of 43 youth services and agencies across the state of Oklahoma since 1976. “The support received for this event is an example of the heart people have toward our youth.”

For more information, contact

Sean Cox, SUMMIT Physical Therapy

(918) 342-3800