Fitzgerald leaders use golf to help Boys and Girls club - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Fitzgerald leaders use golf to help Boys and Girls club

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FITZGERALD, GA (WALB) -

The economy has taken its toll on many charitable organizations.

The Fitzgerald Boys and Girls club has struggled at times just to make ends meet. That's why leaders there have organized a golf tournament to help them financially, but they also want the kids to learn from the experience.

Right now, a day at the golf course is just a club hitting a ball. But, on July 17th, it will be an opportunity to make a difference in a kid's life. 

"Well the idea was kind of sporadic," said Rick Wood with Fletcher Oil Company. "When I found out the Boys and Girls club needed some funds, the idea just popped in my head to do a golf tournament."

This is not your standard charity golf tournament. The kids of the Boys and Girls Club will play with adults.

Fitzgerald Utilities, Sheriff Bobby McLemore, and Fletcher Oil Company have made it where it's free of charge for kids. The Boys and Girls club hopes a day on the links will create a culture.

"That is the whole goal of this, to get the community support to help raise funds for the Boys and Girls club," said Earl Brown, Unit Director for the Fitzgerald and Ben Hill Boys and Girls Club. "We want them to be exposed to other avenues not just inside of the club. We want them to see outside of the club."

Adults will take all of the shots off the tee and in the fairway, or the rough. Then the kids will take over at the green. One of the young golfers is grateful.

"You can come out here and have a great time golfing with your friends," said ten-year old Roderick Williams. "They didn't have to do it, but they did."

The first Points of Light golf tournament will help fill a financial gap for the Boys and Girls club.

"At the end of May, we had to come up with some funds to make it through the end of the month," Brown said.

Organizers think this will expand beyond golf partners. It will also build a bond between child and mentor. 

"The day of the event, it is just going to be tremendous," said Wood. "It is going to be a lot of fun. It will be a good opportunity for some adults to mentor some of these kids and some of these kids to mentor these adults."

Adults tee off and kids starting putting at 8 AM on July 17th at Turkey Creek Golf Course.

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