Tee Off to Help Others

Rogers County Training Center is gearing up for its 28th annual Golf Classic and Silent Auction.

For 28 years, the Rogers County Training Center’s annual Golf Classic has drawn hundreds of golfers who love the game and love helping others. This year’s event is scheduled for Friday, May 3 at Heritage Hills Golf Course in Claremore. The first tee time will be at 8 a.m.

    “All teams will be given ­designated tee times and flights,” said Greg Crawford, Home of Hope’s director of vocational services. “The earlier they sign up, the better chance they will have at getting their choice of tee time.”

    The format will be a ­four-man scramble and the ­registration cost is $300 per team. Golfers will enjoy great beverages, Goldie’s hamburgers, Walke Brothers hot dogs, and fun giveaways. Plus, any golfer lucky enough to make a hole in one at hole six will also have a chance to win a “super” prize donated by Jack Kissee Ford.

    As an added feature of the Golf Classic, participants will have an opportunity to ­participate in the “19th Hole” Silent Auction featuring lots of golf-related items as well as a few specialty items. The silent auction will be taking place under the gazebo with friendly bidding going on during the tournament. The auction will close at 5 p.m. Auction items will be available for viewing at Heritage Hills the week before the event.

    “We have some great ­auction items this year,” said Amy Littleton, Golf Classic ­committee member. “We have two basketballs that we think fans will really enjoy. One is signed by the OSU men’s team and includes the autograph of NBA first round draft pick Marcus Smart, and the other is signed by Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook.”  

    In addition to attending the auction and playing golf, individuals and businesses can show their support in other ways by donating items or gift certificates for their services or products for the silent auction, sponsoring a team for $300 or a golf hole for $100, or making a cash ­donation. All donations for this event are tax deductible.

    “Last year we had around 150 golfers and raised around $20,000,” said Crawford. “We are always looking for more ­players and sponsors. The more people that participate is more money we raise, which is more people we can help.”

    To date, sponsors include BancFirst, Pelco Structural, HydroHoist, Walke Brothers, McFarlin-Ingersoll Ranch, Goldie’s and Jack Kissee Ford. There are still several ­sponsorship opportunities ­available for businesses looking for a way to get involved. The last day to sign up for a sponsorship is April 26. All proceeds from the tournament directly benefit the individuals at the Rogers County Training Center through Home of Hope.

    “At Home of Hope and through the training center, we provide people with developmental disabilities employment and housing opportunities so they can live a more independent life by learning vocational, social and life skills,” said Crawford. “We are currently helping ­approximately 45 people work and live in the community.”

    Home of Hope and the Rogers County Training Center also partner with the City of Claremore to staff the recycling center. Other services they ­provide to raise funds include document destruction at their site in the Industrial Park and thrift stores in Claremore and Pryor that operate solely through donated items.  

    To register a team or sign up for a sponsorship at the 28th annual Golf Classic, contact Amy Littleton at (918) 283-8953 or by email at eat0@eau0eav0eaw0.

For more information, contact

Rogers County ­Training Center Golf Classic

(918) 283-8953