Celebrity Event Results Mixed, Officials Say
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Depending on whom you ask, last weekend's Celebrity Pro-Am Charity Classic golf tournament was either successful or under-attended.
According to Ford Olinger, director of the Dutch & Ford Foundation, which organized the event, everything was "just fine." Seven celebrities attended, Olinger said, and "everybody had a great time."
He said he did not know how many spectators attended.
Jeff Murray, manager of Stonehenge Golf Club, where the Charity Classic took place, said Wednesday, "The event went real well, but there were only about 10 to 20 spectators both days - just about zero."
The bleachers erected for spectators were empty, Murray said, as were the shuttle buses that ran back and forth between Stonehenge and Grace College, where spectators were to have parked.
"It was neat having the celebrities here, though," Murray said. "It was a blast. ... The celebrities really had a good time. They went away from here with smiles on their faces."
Murray said the tournament was well-organized and "(Ford) was prepared to be busy. ... He had workers and volunteers - and a whole lot of empty bleachers."
When asked how much money the Charity Classic raised, Olinger said Wednesday, "We just got back in the office, we're just putting everything together now."
He said he will have a figure by next week.
Olinger also said the specific charities that will benefit from the tournament have not yet been chosen. Now that the event is done, he said, representatives of the major sponsors will look at grant requests from charities that deal with handicapped children, and those representatives will decide what charities will receive the tournament proceeds.
Whether or not the tournament will have any proceeds to distribute remains to be seen. Murray said the lack of spectators may have hurt the event.
"I feel sorry for Ford," Murray said, "because he really went all out and got nothing in return."
Olinger, however, said everything was "just fine" and, when asked if he will organize it again next year, said, "I'm sure we'll do it again." [[In-content Ad]]
Depending on whom you ask, last weekend's Celebrity Pro-Am Charity Classic golf tournament was either successful or under-attended.
According to Ford Olinger, director of the Dutch & Ford Foundation, which organized the event, everything was "just fine." Seven celebrities attended, Olinger said, and "everybody had a great time."
He said he did not know how many spectators attended.
Jeff Murray, manager of Stonehenge Golf Club, where the Charity Classic took place, said Wednesday, "The event went real well, but there were only about 10 to 20 spectators both days - just about zero."
The bleachers erected for spectators were empty, Murray said, as were the shuttle buses that ran back and forth between Stonehenge and Grace College, where spectators were to have parked.
"It was neat having the celebrities here, though," Murray said. "It was a blast. ... The celebrities really had a good time. They went away from here with smiles on their faces."
Murray said the tournament was well-organized and "(Ford) was prepared to be busy. ... He had workers and volunteers - and a whole lot of empty bleachers."
When asked how much money the Charity Classic raised, Olinger said Wednesday, "We just got back in the office, we're just putting everything together now."
He said he will have a figure by next week.
Olinger also said the specific charities that will benefit from the tournament have not yet been chosen. Now that the event is done, he said, representatives of the major sponsors will look at grant requests from charities that deal with handicapped children, and those representatives will decide what charities will receive the tournament proceeds.
Whether or not the tournament will have any proceeds to distribute remains to be seen. Murray said the lack of spectators may have hurt the event.
"I feel sorry for Ford," Murray said, "because he really went all out and got nothing in return."
Olinger, however, said everything was "just fine" and, when asked if he will organize it again next year, said, "I'm sure we'll do it again." [[In-content Ad]]