Golf tournament to benefit Kingsland Youth Football
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
KINGSLAND — What started as talk took only two weeks to become reality. Now, the organizers of Kingsland Youth Football hope the trend improves the second time around.
The organization is conducting its second annual golf tournament at Lighthouse Country Club, 118 Club Circle in Kingsland. Cost is $75 per golfer to participate in the four-person scramble, which includes a meal and prizes. The tournament starts at 1 p.m.
What makes the tournament so compelling is how it and the youth program came about, said Kingsland Youth Football president Sarah Godfrey.
Last year, she and many other Kingsland parents were driving to Llano almost every day for football practices. She quickly realized the financial challenge those trips were putting on her family’s budget.
As she talked to the parents of her children’s teammates, they all expressed the same concern, she said.
“It broke us,” she said. “We all realized there are more kids in the elementary school in Kingsland. So we said, ‘Why not have something here?'”
Godfrey added that her family has great memories of playing in Llano, however, the decision to create teams in Kingsland — that are more cost-effective — was the right move, she said.
So last year, when Kingsland families committed to having their own teams, Godfrey was asked to be the president. She quickly began organizing efforts to raise money.
In two weeks, the organization was able to have a golf tournament fundraiser. In three months, the organization raised $26,000 that went to 50 players, half of the 100 who signed up to play.
Like other youth football leagues in the Highland Lakes, athletes have to buy their own cleats, but uniforms, practice gear, pads, helmets and other necessities are provided by Kingsland Youth Football and are returned to the league after the season ends.
The cost to play in the league is $120. But Godfrey said what cannot be measured is the financial benefit to parents, the experience players gain by playing, and the way area businesses have helped to ensure children who want to play have the chance.
“Last year, (the tournament) was a last-minute decision,” she said. “It got put on my lap and my husband’s lap. We planned it in two weeks. We’ve had two months to plan this time.”
Businesses can sign up to be hole sponsors for $400 or title sponsors for $750. Kingsland Youth Football’s goal is to raise $10,000.
To register, call Sarah Godfrey at (325) 956-9042, Shawn Godfrey at (325) 956-9583 or the golf course at (325) 388-6660.
jfierro@thepicayune.com