Orange Grove Center’s 13th Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Nov. 9 at Council Fire Golf Club. Sponsored by the First Horizon Foundation and presented by JHM, the event will feature internationally known collegiate golfer and disabilities advocate Amy Bockerstette as the celebrity attendee.
Ms. Bockerstette’s appearance is sponsored by SDI Realty Advisors. The tournament is also supported by numerous community businesses and organizations, including Peace Communications, Baker Donelson, McGriff Insurance Services, Gold Bond, Elder’s Ace Hardware, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, E.F. Brannon Furniture, PCM Fire Sprinklers, Food City and Tennessee American Water. All funds raised from the tournament will benefit OGC’s numerous community-based programs for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which include school-age services, job training and employment support, community volunteering, health/dental care, residential options and retirement programs.
The keynote speaker for Orange Grove’s virtual Champions Event this past spring, Ms. Bockerstette is the first person with Down syndrome to both receive an athletic scholarship to attend college and participate in a national collegiate championship. A talented and joyful player with a deep love for the game, she first made international news in 2019 when she was invited by the PGA Tour to play the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale with professional golfers Gary Woodland and Matt Kuchar during a practice round at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The video of her parring the hole after hitting into a greenside bunker went viral, and has since received over 51 million views across social media platforms. Ms. Bockerstette’s enthusiasm and self-confidence was on full display during these few, life-changing minutes, as she repeated, "I got this!" before each stroke.
"Orange Grove is excited to host such an incredible athlete and role model, whose advocacy reflects the mission of the center," officials said. "Join us at Council Fire Golf Club on Nov. 9th, where the course will serve as a new kind of stage for disability advocacy. This is your chance for an unforgettable afternoon of play, for a purpose."
The format of the Golf Tournament is four person scramble and prizes are awarded for Hole-In-One, Closest to Pin, Putting and Longest Drive. Golfers will enjoy refreshments provided by Nothing Bundt Cakes, Bruster’s Ice Cream, Lola Beans Coffee, Southern Star, Shuford’s Smokehouse, Coca-Cola, Cherokee Distributing and McKee.
Team slots for the tournament are still available, and those who have not registered are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Visit www.orangegrovecenter.org/golf to register and view sponsorship opportunities.