The Seventh Annual Broken Arrow Public Schools Foundation Educational Grant Awards Benefit Golf Tournament Presented by Saint Francis Hospital South takes place Tuesday, September 9, 2008, at Forest Ridge Golf Club.

Last year’s tournament was so successful that the Foundation was able to award nearly $40,000 in grants and other support to Broken Arrow teachers.  The Foundation hopes this year’s event does even better.

“The response so far from our sponsors and community at large has been outstanding for this event,” said BAPS Foundation Golf Committee Co-Chair Skip Mefford of RCB Bank.  “We are so appreciative that Saint Francis Hospital South will again be our presenting sponsor.  We are thankful for the continued support of our event provided by Saint Francis.”

Each participating golfer will receive a golf shirt courtesy of Saint Francis Hospital South.

Other sponsors who have already firmed up their commitment for the 2008 tournament include Gold Sponsor ($5,000) The Robson Companies.

American Fidelity and Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company are sponsoring on-course beverages for participating golfers as Silver Plus Sponsors. 

Meals and snacks for the golfers will again be provided by Silver Sponsors ($2500) First National Bank and Trust of Broken Arrow, RCB-Broken Arrow, Citizens Security Bank of Broken Arrow, and Arkansas Valley State Bank.  Other Silver Sponsors so far are Flintco, Inc., Key Construction,  Nabholz Construction, York Electronic Systems and Colt Communications.

The four person scramble format tournament features morning (8 a.m.) and afternoon (1 p.m.) shotgun starts.  Golfers will also be able compete for prizes in closest to the pin and long drive competitions during the tournament. 

In addition, Kevin Grover GMC of Wagoner is again providing a new vehicle that golfers will have an opportunity to win with a hole in one.  Moody’s Jewelry has a one carat loose diamond available for a golfer who makes a hole-in-one on the Moody’s hole of the day. 

Golfers also will have the chance to win two roundtrip airline tickets from Southwest Airlines.

Several area restaurants and businesses have also donated many door prizes that will be awarded to golfers in appreciation for their participating in the tournament.

“Our Broken Arrow teachers are excellent, and this event gives our community and area businesses a chance to show their support for our teachers,” BAPS Foundation Golf Committee Co-Chair Butch Green of Gavco Plastics said.  “The dollars raised by our tournament enhance our efforts to provide our teachers with grants that translate into additional learning opportunities for Broken Arrow students in their classrooms.”

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jim Sisney said the entire school district appreciates the work and support of the Foundation and looks forward to what should be another highly successful Educational Grant Awards Benefit Golf Tournament.

“There are frankly not enough words of appreciation to reflect the gratitude that our school board and I have for the efforts of our wonderful Foundation,” Dr. Sisney said.  “Our terrific teachers benefit from the support of these generous sponsors whose contributions to this event not only impact our teachers with incentive grants but also send a clear message of support for education in Broken Arrow.”

There are a variety of sponsorship packages available that include golfing foursomes and sign recognition at the tournament.  For more information, you may call BAPS Chief Communications Officer, Keith Isbell at 259-4300.