Tee It Up for Campers golf tournament smashes record

Published 7:42 pm Wednesday, August 16, 2017

FREEBORN — The Tee It Up for Campers committee of volunteers hosted its annual golf tournament and wine tasting for the nonprofit organization True Friends. The events were a huge success, according to a press release, raising a combined total of $26,500 — smashing the record the committee set last year by $4,000.

On July 8, the Tee It Up for Campers golf tournament was held at Oakview Golf Course in Freeborn. The 17th annual tournament consisted of 15 four-person teams playing best ball. This year’s winners of the tournament were Brady Gooden, James McKean, Tom Yost and Mark Heinemann.

Since the tournament began in 2000, the Tee It Up golf tournament has provided funding for much-needed facility upgrades, equipment and over $157,000 in camper scholarships. The funds raised from this summer will be used to provide scholarships for local children and adults with disabilities to attend True Friends camps, where they grow in independence and self-esteem.

A check is presented to True Friends. – Provided

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This summer, the Tee It Up for Campers committee also held its annual wine tasting at Cobb Creek Vineyard. Sixty-eight people attended the event, where they enjoyed local wine and beer samples, live music and a silent auction.

The committee thanks the community members and businesses who participated, sponsored or donated to the Tee It Up for Campers events, according to the press release.

True Friends is a nonprofit agency providing life-changing experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem for over 5,000 children and adults with disabilities annually. True Friends’ programs include camp, respite, therapeutic horseback riding, companion travel and team building. Locations include Camp Courage near Maple Lake, Camp Friendship near Annandale, Camp Eden Wood in Eden Prairie and Camp Courage North near Bemidji. For more information, visit www.TrueFriends.org or call 952-852-0101.