Golf for a cause
The Hoover Parks and Recreation Foundation is gearing up to host its second annual Hoover Cup golf tournament, this year to be held on Oct. 15 at Inverness Country Club. The tournament is a four-player scramble (net scoring) and begins with an 8 a.m. shotgun start.
Funds from this year’s event will go toward the creation of a new playground to be built at Sports Park East.
“The Foundation’s mission is to promote, assist, strengthen and advance the quality and availability of programs and facilities for the residents of the city of Hoover,” said Hoover Parks and Recreation Foundation Vice President Richard Reiss. “With the construction of Miracle Field, the city planned to add this playground adjacent to it. We [the Foundation] decided to assist by raising some of the funds necessary.”
Reiss added that the playground will have specialized equipment designed for individuals with disabilities, and will be the first playground of its kind in the state of Alabama.
“This playground will meet the seven principles of universal design, while focusing on the usage of individual play elements as well as the overall playground environmental design,” said Dee Nance of Hoover Parks and Recreation. “These unique inclusive play experiences will address the developmental needs of the whole child by intentionally providing opportunities for physical, cognitive, communicative, social/emotional and sensory development.”
Last year, the Hoover Cup included more than 75 players and raised over $10,000. Reiss said the Foundation leadership has set an aggressive goal this year to increase event proceeds by 50 percent.
“Our goal this year is 100,” said Reiss, adding that they are off to a strong start with 10 teams already registered. “The increase in our players, and our slightly increased registration fees, should allow us to reach our goal.”
Reiss and his fellow committee members, including John Gardner, Dennis Daigle, Mark Middlebrooks and Lisa Withington, have worked tirelessly to accumulate a selection of generous prizes for the event.
These include a $10,000 prize for the first player to achieve a hole-in-one on a particular hole (the hole selected will be kept confidential until immediately prior to the shotgun start), and also a two-night getaway, including two rounds of golf, at The Lodge at Sea Island, Georgia. Other prizes include several rounds of golf from area courses, gift cards, coupons and swag bags.
Registration is $150 for an individual golfer, with a maximum fee of $500 for a team of four. These fees include breakfast, lunch and tournament play.
The Foundation is seeking hole sponsors at $150 each. For more information about this or to register, contact Dee Nance at 444-7765 or nanced@ci.hoover.us.
The Hoover Parks and Recreation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with donations being tax deductible as allowed by law.