What is the formula for a successful fundraiser to support strong families?
For the players who traveled for hours in a university van to play golf in the rain, the camaraderie and the cause made the trip worth the effort.
For the local council event planners, the tremendous support for the cause made the day a success.
For Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, the blending of the players, planners, and a dash of serendipity delivered the winning combination.
Child Advocacy Services, Southeast Georgia (CASSEGA) and PCA Ogeechee, one of the newest local councils, hosted the sixth annual CASSEGA Grand Slam golf tournament fundraiser on March 22.
Through a chance conversation with a colleague, Georgia State University Presidential Fellow Sonny Patel met CASSEGA Director of Business Operations Kristen Kramer. Patel leads the Golf Club at Georgia State University, organized under the GSU Recreation Department.
Once Kramer told Patel of PCA Georgia’s location at GSU, sparks flew. PCA Georgia Executive Director Jennifer Stein learned of the club’s plans to play in the fundraiser for the local council, and she provided sweatshirts and hats branded with the organization’s logo.
“It was great to meet Sonny and sense the enthusiasm about his plans to take the golf club to Statesboro for the fundraiser,” Stein said. “I introduced him to our mission; we bonded over our shared connection to GSU.”
Patel organized and outfitted 10 players, many of whom had never been in a competitive environment or been to Statesboro.
“They had that great experience and had fun,” Patel said. “I’ve worked in the do-good space for a long time. When people are given a chance to do good, they do. Our community is about fostering that, especially through sports.”
Patel said that one of the GSU golf club foursomes placed fourth in the tournament.
“During the rain, we played better,” he said. “We stopped thinking so much; we were just trying to get to the finish line.”
He added that supporting PCA Georgia in the tournament has been a highlight of the club members’ university experience.
“Bringing the Golf Club together with PCA Georgia just made sense. For us, it’s always been about building community through our shared love of the sport. We want to foster an environment where students can pursue their passion while also discovering new ways to positively impact each other’s lives. This tournament allowed us to connect with and support an incredible cause that’s improving families across our state,” Patel said.
“If we can leverage the platform of sports for social good, then we’ll continue finding new ways to team up with amazing organizations like PCA Georgia that share our spirit of uplift and community.”
Despite the weather, GSU senior Naomi King, a computer science major from Conyers, said she had a great time.
“I absolutely loved the crowd, the energy, everything about it,” King said. She related the trip down and back with her fellow students to a family vacation.
“We talked about everything – golf, rules, our lives,” she said.
Preparation, she said, was the key to the day.
“The practice paid off. Going to the range paid off,” King said. “Even the new gloves paid off.”
She commended Patel for his leadership.
“He was very relatable; he made sure all of us were prepared and ready to have fun,” she said.
King mentioned the welcoming environment.
“It brought joy to playing even in the rain,” she added.
Kramer loved having the Georgia State University students at the tournament; they joined an additional 10 student players from Georgia Southern University.
She said seeing everyone enjoy themselves on the course, during the shared luncheon, and during presentation time was a highlight.
“My favorite part of the day was telling people what we do,” Kramer said.
She said it was the most successful tournament so far. Lead sponsor Core Credit Union covered most of the overhead, and Georgia Southern Golf Course reduced its fees.