Golf has been at the forefront throughout March in Tucson, but supporters of the Cholla Foundation Annual Golf Tournament have been golfing “fore” local kids for more than a decade.
Spearheaded by Tim Meyer, the fundraising golf tournament and silent auction on February 17 raised more than $55,000 for Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson (BGCT).
“Our goal is to help those kids who most need our help,” said Meyer, who was introduced to BGCT when he and friends from South Dakota entered a 2011 golf tournament hosted by the University of Arizona Women’s Golf team.
They made an instant connection with the kids.
“Our guys were giving the kids putting and chipping lessons on the practice greens. When we were led out to our holes, the kids and staff were giving high fives and saying go, ‘Team Cholla,’ when we went by. Pretty cool, eh?” Meyer said.
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He and “Team Cholla” were so inspired that they decided to make a tradition of golfing to support BGCT. The endeavor has evolved into a 144-person golf tournament at Arizona National Golf Club followed by five days of match play for 22 two-man teams at various resorts including Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Omni Tucson National Resort, Tucson Country Club and Arizona National Golf Club.The overall winner receives bragging rights and the green “Bull Blazer.”
It is a week of fellowship, philanthropy and competitive golf for everyone involved, according to Don Davis, who plays in the tournament and assists with the silent auction.
“The Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson provide a place for kids to go after school and during the summer, and the money raised goes a long way toward assisting with their programs. Most of these kids are from lower-middle class families and many are latch-key kids with single parents or two parents who work, so these programs keep them busy and productive,” Davis said.
Since 2013, the Cholla Foundation has funneled more than $465,000 into BGCT programming in the arts, sports and recreation, leadership, STEM, homework help and more.
“This also means meals, supervision and continued education for kids who otherwise would be roaming the streets or, at best, watching TV at home alone,” said Meyer. He and his wife, Diane, received the BGCT Click for Kids Award in 2021 in recognition of their impact on local children.
Cholla Foundation fundraising to benefit BGCT continues and donations are welcome. Send an email to timdmeyer34@gmail.com for more information.
