Furyk Foundation partners with Nemours to clear waiting list for Blessings in a Backpack
The Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation continues to try to put a dent in food insecurity, especially among children.
The foundation, which hosts this week's Constellation Furyk & Friends at the Timuquana Country Club, is partnering with Nemours Children’s Health Jacksonville to clear a waiting list of 880 children at seven area elementary and middle schools for donations through the Blessings in a Backpack program.
One of the main charitable recipients of the Furyk & Friends, Blessings in a Backpack provides children ready-to-eat food for the weekends when they aren't able to take advantage of meal assistance at their schools during the week.
Vandals strike: Five Timuquana Country Club greens damaged a day before start of Furyk & Friends
The children added to the program attend Andrew Robinson Elementary School, Annie R. Morgan Elementary School, Hyde Grove Elementary School, Mayport Middle School, and San Jose Elementary School in Duval County; and James E. Webster Elementary School and John A. Crookshank Elementary School in St. Johns County.
The additional students raised to 5,300 the number who are provided with the food in backpacks.
“We know that food insecurity has serious implications for childhood development including physical and mental health, cognitive and social development, and academic achievement,” said Nemours Children’s Health President and CEO R. Lawrence Moss in a statement. “We are so grateful for Jim and Tabitha and the work done by Blessings in a Backpack in helping our community’s kids get the food they need to be healthy today and into adulthood.”
The Blessings in a Backpack First Coast Chapter has provided millions of hunger-free weekends to Duval and St. Johns County school students.
The Furyk & Friends tournament has raised more than $2.5 million in charity in the first two years it has been played. Among other charitable program for children and families are its Hope for the Holidays program, which provides the ingredients for a holiday meal.
Wachter qualifies again
Lily Wachter of St. Augustine posted the highest score among finalists in her age group and qualified for her second Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.
Wachter scored 147 points at the Sea Island Club on St. Simons Island, Ga., to lead the girls 10-11 age group. She will advance to the finals at the Augusta National Golf Club in April 7, the Sunday before the Masters Tournament.
Wachter is one of seven players to return to the national finals. She was the first girl from the First Coast to play in the finals last year.
What's left on JAGA schedule?
Four tournaments remain on the Jacksonville Area Golf Association 2023 schedule, beginning with the Fall Four-Ball on Oct. 16 at Deercreek.
Competition will be held in gross and net divisions, with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
Also on the schedule:
The JAGA/North Florida PGA Chapter Club Team will be Nov. 6 at Slammer & Squire.
The JAGA Scholarship Trust tournament will be Nov. 20 at Deerwood, with proceeds going to the college assistance for area students.
The JAGA Family Championship will be Dec. 16 at the Jacksonville Beach Golf Club.
All information on the tournaments can be obtained by visiting jaxareagolf.org.
Volunteers sought for qualifier
The PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour are seeking volunteers to work at the final stage of PGA Tour Q-School Dec. 11-17 at the TPC Sawgrass Dye's Valley and the Sawgrass Country Club.
Those interested are asked to visit the golf shops of those facilities for information.
PGA chapter, section results
Jennifer Borocz of the North Florida Section office won the Northern Chapter's Stableford event at Marsh Creek with 40 points, two ahead of Santiago Cavanagh of Palencia. Josh Wolfe of San Jose was third. Bob Wallace of the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club won the senior division with 38 points, edging Clint Avret of Southeast Turfgrass Supply by one. Jeff Hanson of Ponte Vedra was third.
Taylor Davis of Timuquana won the Chapter Assistants' tournament at Sawgrass with 40 points under Stableford scoring. Zach Vinal of The Yards was second and Bea Maurico of St. Johns GC was third.
Jake Etherton of the World Golf Village and Wolfe were third in the North Florida Section Pro-Pro at Seminole Legacy in Tallahassee.
Pease wins at the Slammer
Bill Pease of St. Augustine won the National Blind Golfers Championship at the Slammer & Squire with rounds of 83-84--167. The former University of Virginia professor finished 14 shots ahead of runner-up Amanda Cunha of Hawaii. ... Bill Hardaker of Jacksonville Beach and Keith Nagy of Atlantic Beach shot 11-under 133 (68-65) to finish fifth in the Florida State Golf Association Super-Senior Championship at the Spring Run Golf Club in Bonita Springs. They finished three shots off the lead. ... Lucas Gimenez of Jacksonville shot 69 in the second round and with an even-par 144 at the Highlands Ridge Golf Club in Avon Park, tied for fifth in the Florida Junior Tour 13-15 Highlands Ridge Open.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation, Nemours expands Blessings in a Backpack
