Golf Marathon to Support Rogers County Youth

Volunteers for Youth will host its 5th annual Smokin’ Hot 100 Marathon.

Volunteers for Youth will host its 5th annual Smokin’ Hot 100 Marathon at Heritage Hills Golf Course in Claremore on Tuesday, July 28, 2009. On this one day, you can do something of truly lasting significance simply by playing golf or providing corporate sponsorship. Your involvement will make a genuine difference in the lives of hundreds of Rogers County young people.

“One should not even think of this event as a golf tournament,” said Melynda Stone, executive director of Volunteers for Youth. “Golf is just the vehicle that allows us to bring together folks with a heart for the work we’re doing. Money is raised because golfers and non-golfers alike can participate by self-sponsoring, seeking matching pledges and playing lots of golf. If a golfer is asking for your pledge, please say yes!”

Volunteers for Youth is a Rogers County-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Their mission is to positively impact youth in the community through programs such as a school-based mentoring program (PAL Program), an after-school program for students in grades 4 through 8 (THE SPOT), and a juvenile first-offender program (Juvenile Graduated Sanctions). “The programs focus on prevention and putting protective factors in place in the lives of our young people,” said Melynda. “Critical needs at our organization include volunteers to serve as mentors and funding support.”

Previous golf marathons have raised funds ranging from $12,000 to $18,000 in a single day. The golf marathon proceeds are used primarily to sustain the PAL Mentoring Program. A single staff person is devoted to the coordination of nearly 100 mentor-mentee matches and the associated costs, including recruitment, screening, training and support. “Even if you can’t volunteer as a mentor, our golf marathon offers you the opportunity to support mentoring,” said Melynda.

The Smokin’ Hot 100 Marathon is a way for golfers, both duffer and low handicapper alike, to rally support while doing something very enjoyable – playing golf. Only 36 slots are available for golfers. Individual golfers who seek and acquire pledges amounting to at least $1,000 may participate at no additional fee. “Simply put, you self-pledge $100 and ask nine others to match your own personal pledge of $1 per hole. Otherwise, a minimum of $250 is required to participate,” Melynda explained. “For a $1,500 corporate sponsorship, your business will become a flag sponsor, and one golfer may participate representing your business.” Advertising perks for corporate sponsorship include an actual golf flag printed with your logo.

“Yes, you will play 100 holes. No, we’re not kidding,” said Melynda. “A hundred holes is very doable. Many golfers in past marathons have been able to play more than 100 holes. In fact, the record for a golf marathon is an amazing 409 holes in one day.”

All golfers have their own cart and play at their own speed. Golfers may hit multiple balls, and each ball counts as one hole played. You will not have to look for lost balls; players merely drop another ball and keep hitting. If your score on a hole reaches triple bogey, pick up, score the hole as completed, and move on to the next hole. You may play any hole, or series of holes, in any order as many times as you want.

Besides a lot of fun and the satisfaction of helping Volunteers for Youth in a big way, you will receive breakfast, lunch and continuous refreshments, plenty of golf balls to smack away, the opportunity to win great prizes, and a tax write-off for any donated funds.     

For more information, call Melynda Stone at (918) 343-2530.

For more information, contact

Volunteers for Youth

(918) 343-2530

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www.volunteersforyouth.com