Friday, July 22, 2016 Highland Springs Country Club
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. 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.”
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.”
