Michelle Wagner-Yeatts
By Carolina Keating
For 15 years, the Twin City Mission Golf Classic has been bringing both awareness and fun to the Brazos Valley. This year, the 15th annual Twin City Mission Golf Classic will take place Monday, March 23, at the Phillips Event Center at Briarcrest Country Club.
The annual event is a major fundraising opportunity for Twin City Mission, a local non-profit organization founded in 1963 to meet the needs of the homeless in the Bryan/College Station area. In the more than 50 years since then, Twin City Mission has grown tremendously and now offers four different programs to provide help for those in need in the Brazos Valley.
The homeless and housing services provides emergency shelter for the homeless in the B/CS area and assists with transitional housing needs. The service also provides basic necessities such as clothing, furniture, and nutritious meals to those in need. The donation and resale program has four retail stores stocked by donations from the community that offer clothing and other items for very little cost. The domestic violence services program provides an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence as well as non-residential services, case management, and counseling. The youth and family services program provides free services to at-risk youth and works to keep the family together.
The golf tournament serves a dual purpose for the organization, says Ron Crozier, director of public relations for Twin City Mission. “We use the tournament on two different fronts,” he says. “One of which is a fundraiser and the second way is as a public awareness tool.“
Despite the obvious benefits of the fundraiser, Crozier believes the second purpose is much more important. “For two months prior to the tournament we have people talking about Twin City Mission. We are getting our name out there and we are doing it in a positive way. If we only raise five dollars but we had 100 people come out and have a good time and talk about the Mission, then that is a successful tournament,” he says. The Twin City Mission Golf Tournament also offers a positive spin on an often-negative topic. “So much of what we do is considered in a negative light - homelessness, violence, child abuse - but on that day we’ve got a positive attitude and everything has a bright light instead of a grey dim association.”
One reason for the continued success of the tournament is Twin City Mission’s dedication to keeping the tournament budget friendly for both the golfers and the sponsors. “Our community is so important and so helpful to non-profits. We have kept the same price for that very reason and sponsors like that, “ Crozier says.
Additionally, Crozier and the rest of the committee in charge of the golf tournament want to make sure that the golfers have a great time. “When they come out to the golf tournament that day we want to let them know how much we appreciate them and their support for Twin City Mission. We want to show them a good time so that when they leave they are already talking about coming back next year.”
What: The 15th annual Twin City Missions Golf Classic sponsored by Anco Insurance and the Bubbamoore Memorial Group
When: Monday, March 23 at 9 a.m.
Where: The Phillips Event Center at Briarcrest Country Club
Who: Golfers interested in having a good time while supporting a great cause
Cost: The entry fee is $125 per golfer and covers the green and cart fees, a diddy bag per golfer, a light breakfast, range balls before starting, refreshments on the course, lunch following the tournament, and an 8X10 color picture for each team member.
