By Keith Chartrand
The First Tee of Greater Ocala hasn’t been around that long; less than two years. The impact the organization has made throughout Marion County in its short existence though has been more then exemplary.
TFTOGO Executive Director Chris Wilson Al Dunlap Judy Dunlap Sean Thornton
To keep The First Tee of Greater Ocala growing the organization, under the leadership of executive director Chris Wilson, had their third annual golf tournament fundraiser. Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club, with eight of its championship holes recreated from Augusta, Royal Troon, Baltusrol, Muirfield and St. Andrews, hosted over 100 golfers. Golden Ocala’s Director of Golf Mike Cooney assisted Wilson in making the tournament, lunch and auction a success. Over 500 children in the Ocala-Marion County area already have completed the 12-week First Tee Program that develops life skills through golf. Wilson isn’t stopping there. By encouraging Marion County elementary schools to participate in the First Tee’s National School Program, 4,000 additional Marion County children have
2nd in the county Diane Colley
Mac Caldwell
picked up both golf clubs and life skills. The program currently is in 10 Marion County school. Wilson’s goal, in five years, is to have it in all 29. The fundraiser will help make it happen. Grilled-to-perfection hamburgers, delicious cookies along with sweet tea and lemonade hit the spot after the tournaments. Participants got to bid on terrific items including a Ted Potter Jr. signed Masters Par-3 tournament flag. Potter Jr., an Ocala native, along with Jody and Cody Phillips and Jacob Cox were the tournament winners. 18
Steve Ehrhart Shane Miller Jeff Kirk Mike Robertson Florida Golf Central • Volume 14, Issue 5