117 of the nation's best Women's Collegiate Golf teams - including five teams currently ranked inside the top 20 by Golfweek magazine - will test their skills at the second annual Schooner Fall Classic at the Belmar Golf Club in Norman, Oklahoma, starting today (Oct. 3) and running through Oct. 6.
The event is hosted by the Toby Keith Foundation. All proceeds from the tournament will go directly to OK Kids Korral in Oklahoma City, reports Tobykeith.com. The Korral is a 25,000 square foot facility that opened in November 2013, and is dedicated exclusively to serving the needs of pediatric cancer patients. This cost-free home away from home facility has 16 guest suites, gourmet kitchen, playgrounds, and an indoor theatre.
Tricia Keith, wife of the county music superstar, serves as the catalyst and Tournament Host for the prestigious women's event. An avid golfer, she believes the 90 golfers who will compete for the title will come away inspired after meeting several children that have been diagnosed with cancer who serve as tournament ambassadors.
"We are hosting a tournament with an intended purpose, and that is to encourage these future golf professionals and business leaders to consider how fortunate they are to be able to travel the world and play golf, while introducing them to children who are battling cancer and fighting to stay alive. There is more to life than just golf," reports Sooner Sports.
The Schooner Fall Classic is the only collegiate golf event in the world with a philanthropic component whereby the collegians direct their gift to a charitable organization of their choice, reports Shock Ink. The winning team will receive a $3,000 contribution from the Toby Keith Foundation. All coaches and players prior to coming to Norman are asked to submit a charitable organization anywhere in the world that they would like to help. At the conclusion of play, the winning team, consisting of five players and their coach will each be given $500 of philanthropic seed money to be used to "pay it forward" to their designated non-profit, charity, church, local or worldwide organization.
Tricia Keith added "One of our goals is to encourage these ladies to be intentional in helping others who are less fortunate, and to set these future leaders on a lifetime path of charitable giving."
The Schooner Fall Classic kicks off with "The Dish College-Am" on Friday October 3, and the 54 hole tournament runs from October 4 - 6, with 18 holes played each day. Included in the field is #6 ranked University of Arkansas, #14 Mississippi State, #15 University of Central Florida, #16 University of Oklahoma, and #19 Texas A&M. Also expected to contend for the title are #24 LSU, #28 Clemson, Notre Dame, Florida State, and the University of California at Berkeley.
The Schooner Fall Classic's premier field boasts 14 women who represented their home countries in September 2014 at the World Amateur Team Championship in Japan.
Expected to contend for individual medalist honors include 2013 National Golf Coaches Association All Americans, Alexandra Kaui, University of Oklahoma, Gaby Lopez, University of Arkansas, Marijosse Navarro, Texas A& M, Jo EE Kok, University of California at Berkeley, Ally McDonald, Mississippi State, and defending champion Madeline Sagstrom, LSU.
The tournament is free and open to the public. Tee times begin at 8:30am each day.
