Parkland Buddy Sports will host its seventh annual golf tournament on Sat., May 11, at Boca Lago Country Club in Boca Raton.
“Our Parkland Buddy Sports family has been providing fun, safe programming for our special needs children, their families, and our community since our inception in 2002,” Parkland Buddy Sports president Andy Zaukas said. “This tournament is our primary source of fundraising, with the hope that our fee-free sports programming will continue to grow and succeed.”
The mission of Parkland Buddy Sports, a 501 C (3) non-profit organization, is to provide quality sports programming for children and young adults with special needs in an inclusive, empowering, challenging, and caring environment where the emphasis is on having fun, making friends, and realizing their potential. The structure of a shared experience allows participants and volunteers to create a no-limits environment void physical, social, and cultural barriers.
The sports programs consist of weekly activities and/or games. Each player is paired for the entire season with their own “Buddy,” who in most instances is a student volunteer. Through the shared encouragement of all the program’s Buddies, the players with special needs and their families are able to experience the joys of their athletic endeavors.
The 1:30pm shotgun-start golf tournament will consist of up to 144 players in teams of four. The cost per player is $125, which includes golf, tournament prizes, a gift bag, and buffet dinner in Boca Lago’s VIP dining room. Specialty holes will be available, including a hole-in-one par 3, where golfers will be shooting for prizes courtesy of Infiniti of Coconut Creek. Other specialty holes will be available. Mulligan cards will be on hand for players to purchase.
Sponsorship opportunities may be obtained at several monetary levels, ranging from $500 to $5,000. T-Sign hole sponsorships are also available for $100 per hole. The Parklander is the official magazine sponsor. Other corporate sponsors include Connect Credit Union, The Eppy Group, Holman Enterprises, and Pepsi. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the top teams. There will be a silent auction and raffle; prizes include hotel stays, signed sports memorabilia, attraction tickets, restaurant gift certificates, and more. If you are interested in assisting the charity or golf tournament committee with your time and/or donations, call Linda Brown at 954-288-7201. For more information on Parkland Buddy Sports, visit ParklandBuddySports.org or search Facebook for Parkland Buddy Sports Inc.