6th Annual Director's Cup: A Par-fect Day for a Perfect Cause
No Woods.
No Mickelson.
No Daly.
But there was a Norman, Stadler and Watson playing in the Missouri 10-33 Benevolent Fund Sixth Annual Director’s Cup Golf Tournament.
One-hundred thirty-two golfers teed it up and played their best for the 2007 Corrections Day Director’s Tournament last September.
Each year golfers and sponsors donate their time and money for this worthwhile cause. There are people participating from all walks of life. The one rule being that there has to be one player that is employed with the Department of Corrections on each team.
Former Governor Roger Wilson started the tournament many years ago.
"The 10-33 Benevolent Fund’s purpose is to provide money to families of law enforcement and corrections personnel who are killed in the line of duty," said Royce Hudson, Chief of Staff Training. "It provides assistance to the families of corrections officers who have died. Because you never know when you’re going to need it."
"This fund has already helped the families of more than 40 public safety officers who died in the line of duty. Including members of our Department. In the past four years, our agency has raised more than $70,000 through our generous participation in the tournament," Missouri Department of Corrections Director Larry Crawford said.
Hudson told the Horizon, "Last year we had an officer die inside the institution of a heart attack. And the fund provided the family with cash to get them through it."
Each golfer paid $100 of which $40 went to the Columbia Country Club to play and $60 went to the 10-33 Benevolent Fund. Eighteen holes of golf, carts, prizes, and refreshments were all included.
Approximately $13,000 was raised for the 10-33 Benevolent Fund in 2007.
The Director's Cup is a traveling trophy. Team plaques were awarded for first, second and third place in the morning and afternoon flights.
The 2007 Director's Cup winning team represented Jefferson City Correctional Center. The team consisted of Graham, Graham, Powell and Page. They posted a scorching clubhouse final score of 56.
Sponsors play a huge role in the success of the tournament.
"All of the food is donated by the beef producers, the Cattlemen's Association, pork producers and the Poultry Federation in Missouri. Fechtel Beverage provided the refreshments," Hudson said. "Special thanks to Correctional Medical Services, Keefe Supply Company, MPPOA [Missouri Probation and Parole Officers Association] and MOCOA [Missouri Corrections Officers Association], the Missouri Auto Dealers Association and all the personnel clubs for the continued support."
Sponsors are always needed!
Hudson says that the first year of the Director's Cup had 42 teams with 168 golfers. In 2007 they were down to 33 teams with 132 golfers.
"That's the lowest we've had," Hudson said.
"There are people calling me all the time, wanting to know if there are any vacancies. That's the easy part. The hard part is getting enough sponsors. We need to work on sponsors right now, that's the key," Hudson said.
Hudson told the Horizon, "If you are unable to attend or play golf, you can still participate by being a donor or a hole sponsor. I encourage all of you to be a part of this great cause."
"Because all of us may need the 10-33 Benevolent Fund, you never know. It doesn't have to be a violent act. If you're working in corrections and you die, your family has some means of support. It's not just DAI, it's P&P, it's all of us. I encourage everybody to play in this tournament. It's a worthwhile event," Hudson said.
This year's date is set for Friday, September 5, 2008 at the Columbia Country Club.
For more information contact Royce Hudson at 1717 Industrial Drive, 3rd Floor or call (573) 522-5977.
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