Pro-Am raises funds for kids

What is now the Central Kansas Community Foundation used to have a golf tournament and a duck race to help raise money for its Greater Newton Kids FUNd.

“Two duck races was enough,” John Torline said.

When the foundation had a chance to be the title sponsor of the Sand Creek Station Pro-Am, part of the festivities of the Nationwide Tour’s Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open, the group jumped at the chance.

“It was going to be something that would highlight the community and the golf course,” Torline said. “It looked like a win-win situation all-around. Then the community foundation was invited to be the title sponsor. That means we pay the biggest fee, but we get the net.”

The pro-am is slated for noon Aug. 5 at Sand Creek Station. The event pairs Nationwide Tour pros with 24 four-player amateur teams.

“I think all the people who first cooked it up like (Wichita Open director) Roy (Turner), (Sand Creek Station general manager) Chris (Tuohey) and (then city manager) Jim Heinke,” Torline said. “It netted a good amount of money. The foundation then set aside enough money to be the title sponsor next year. Half of the rest of the proceeds went into the Kids FUNd. The other part went into our operations.”

According to foundation executive director Sandra Fruit, the average net of the past two years has been about $19,000.

The Central Kansas Community Foundation began in 1995 as the Newton Healthcare Foundation, founded by Newton Medical Center. The foundation became the Newton Community and Healthcare Foundation in 1999 as it broadened its horizons.

A merger in January formed the present organization, which now operates in Harvey, Marion and McPherson counties.

The Kids FUNd started in 2005. The CKCF has raised more than $51,000 in that time. The Kids FUNd was started by Barrick Wilson, marketing director of Newton Medical Center and a former foundation administrator.

The fund contributed to 11 children’s organizations this spring, including the Agape Resource Center, CASA, Communities in Schools of Harvey County, the FUNdamental Learning Center, Harvey County Parents as Teachers, Hillcrest Community Church for its biweekly game nights at the Newton Activity Center, the Kansas Learning Center for Health for preschool through sixth -grade programs, Newton High School student leadership, Northridge and South Breeze schools, Peace Connections and Youthville.

“Once we determine the amount of money we have for the Kids FUNd, which is typically towards the end of the year, we announce the competitive grants,” Fruit said. “Any non-profit that serves children is eligible to apply.”

Fruit says putting on the Pro-Am is pretty labor intensive.

“It takes a lot,” she said. “What I like about this project is it’s volunteer driven. We have a relatively small committee. There are lots of contacts to be made. Lots of solicitations for sponsors to be made. Then our committee and our board members follow up every year.”

The Pro-Am planning committee is made up of Turner, Tuohey, two community members and four foundation members.

“The other reason this is so critically important is the grants come from the endowed funds,” Fruit said. “Those funds are dependent on market performance. When you have a year like last year, it’s nice to know you’re going to have something as successful as this. That money will be available for the Kids FUNd.”

Fruit said the Pro-Am planning for the foundation happens year-round.

“We started last year holding pairings parties,” Torline said. “We’re hoping to get more pros attending. This year, each player has a $200 credit that they will be able to use at a Titleist Pro Shop that will be set up.”

“This is the first tournament after the merger of the two foundations,” Fruit said. “What we hope to do for the future is expand interest in the three counties we serve. In the years to come, you’ll see that happen.”

Fruit said two silver-level sponsors from McPherson came on board for this year’s tournament.