Big crowd turns out for Kids Fun Day & Junior Golf Clinic

Kids Fun Day-3

For a Nixa family whose dad was diagnosed with leukemia last year, money is understandably tight these days. So, naturally, any affordable entertainment for their two girls catches their eye.

An event of the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper was just the right one on Friday. Jesse and Amber Varvel Howell joined about 120 others in attending the free Kids Fun Day and Junior Golf Clinic presented by the Missouri Golf Association at Highland Springs Country Club.

“He’s only 27, so this is nice to be able to do,” said Amber, a stay-at-home mom for her girls, Ariel and Madison, while Jesse is on disability — although, fortunately, he is in remission. The family spotted the event advertised on the social media site Facebook. “We just pay the bills, buy the groceries and hope we have a little bit left over.”

The Howell family and many others expressed appreciation for an event that offered a lot of fun for kiddos: Amberg Entertainment bounce houses; the Logan-Rogersville Fire Department’s full-size fire engine and a “smoke house”; and Brian Maloney, the Director of Golf at Highland Springs, led the Junior Golf Clinic. Andy’s Frozen Custard deserts and mouth-watering toppings didn’t last long, and a face-painter was on hand as well.

The event drew kids from the Boys & Girls Club, Music Therapy of the Ozarks, Dogwood Ranch and Macedonia Baptist Church pre-school.

“It’s a great opportunity to get out here and have fun,” said Lori Willadsen, Director of Macedonia’s pre-school. “And it didn’t cost a thing. They also learned about fire safety and got their faces painted. They’re having a ball.”

Check out out all of our photos on our Facebook page.
Check out out all of our photos on our Facebook page.

The PCCC, which has gifted almost $13 million in its 26-year history, continues to seek business sponsorships and has openings in several pro-ams. Call 417-887-3400 to throw your support behind this great cause. For a full schedule, go to the website at pricecuttercc.org.

The next event is the Price Cutter Charities Junior Golf Outing on July 27 at the Betty Allison Family Golf Center on the nine-hole Oscar Blom Golf Course in north Springfield. Many events beginning the first week of August will build up toward the pros playing Aug. 11-14 at Highland Springs County Club. For instance, the Michele Kiser Women’s Golf Clinic at Highland Springs and Fashion Show and the Betty & Bobby Allison’s Junior Pro-Am at Rivercut Golf Course are scheduled the first week of August.

The Kids Fun Day and Junior Golf Clinic was a success, said Taylor Frederich, who handles Sales and Administration for the PCCC and Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

“This is one of the opportunities of the tournament to reach out to the youth of the community,” Frederich said. “We take great pride in making sure that the kids remain involved in the tournament. After all, the tournament is aimed at the local youth charities.”

“Who doesn’t love the carnival atmosphere?” Frederich added. “This is a great time for them to come and play, exercise and interact with other children from the area.”

 

Charity spotlight: Summit Prep Academy

Summit Preparatory School in Springfield uses PCCC dollars toward scholarships.
Summit Preparatory School in Springfield uses PCCC dollars toward scholarships.

You’d assume that $6,00 isn’t much, but it’s significant at The Summit Preparatory School.

The private educational facility in southwest Springfield partnered with the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper three years ago and uses the tournament’s donations toward scholarships for low-income students.

To Katie Heet, who teaches elementary students, the teachers all have a bounce in their steps anyway. Being flanked by even more supporters can be inspiring.

“I think that’s what’s true about teaching,” Heet said. “It can be one of the most challenging professions but also one of the most rewarding.”

In other words, your donations to the PCCC – the PGA’s Web.com Tour stop in Springfield – are truly meaningful, and you can make a difference again as the tournament returns in August to Highland Springs Country Club. The tournament has gifted almost $13 million to children’s charities in the past 26 years.

About Summit Preparatory School

“The reason we joined the tournament a couple of years ago was because I had seen the benefits it gave to other charities,” said Laura Hover-Skiles, Director of Development for Summit Prep. “I think it’s neat to see the synergy of these charities that come together and support kids. It’s powerful. When you are a small school, you need that power.”

The Summit Preparatory School is independent of any local school district  and offers small class sizes and strong parent-teacher-student communication.

The mission of the school is to provide students with an empowering education in a supportive, stimulating environment.

This is achieved through small class sizes, a strong foreign language program, progressive education principles and a challenging differentiated curriculum. Summit students are prepared to succeed in college and beyond.

As Heet noted, the classrooms include large carpet spaces and carpet bags as teachers try to reach students in a variety of ways.

“We’ve seen significant growth with individuals,” Heet said.

Overall, The Summit is a small, progressive, independent school that cares beyond the completion of required courses to the development and future of the whole child. It teaches not only the skills for academic success but, more importantly, how to overcome challenges, solve problems and pursue lifelong achievement.

The average class size is 15 students and capped at 18 students.

“We’re really fortunate in Springfield that we have a lot of great schools,” Hover-Skiles said. “I’m a believer that there’s not a right way to do education. I hate to see opportunities put in front of kids who cannot afford it.”

RISING STARS, RAISING HOPES

  • BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS: Businesses also can support the PCCC through various sponsorships, such as the skyboxes on the 9th and 18th greens (with food badges), on-course signage and events such as a dozen Pro-Ams. Businesses also can donate a gift card with at least a $25 value in the name of your charity of choice to benefit them in the Golf Ball & Charity Auction presented by Copy Products, Inc. and University Plaza.

    The Ultimate
    The Ultimate sponsorship means air-conditioned and covered seating on the 18th green and a chance to win a Corvette Stingray.
  • WIN A NEW TRUCK: The purchase of a $25 TLC Properties Charity Sweepstakes ticket can win one of 500 daily gift cards as well as grand prizes of $10,000 and a 2016 Ford F-150 XLT. It’s also good for a four-day tournament pass.

    Win this truck
    Win this truck or $10,000
  • SEE THE FUTURE OF THE PGA TOUR: The PCCC is from Aug. 5-15, with the pros beginning play on Aug. 11 at Highland Springs Country Club. For tickets or other ways to assist, call the Price Cutter Charity Championship staff at 417-887-3400.

    Dawie vander Walt shows his winners trophy after the final round of the Price Cutter Charity Championship at Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield on August 16, 2015.
    Dawie vander Walt won the 2015 PCCC (Photo courtesy of StidzMedia)
  • SUMMIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL: The private school in southwest Springfield uses PCCC dollars to help offset scholarships of low-income students. The school’s number is 417-869-8077.