3rd Annual Driving Out Family Homelessness Golf Tournament

We are still basking in the joy and excitement resulting from our most successful golf tournament yet! With brief remarks from our Executive Director about what the team sponsorships and other donations will make possible in the lives our FPK's guest families, our 18 teams (a sold-out contest) set out to conquer Williams Creek Golf Course at 8:30 AM to tee off in a Powerball Scramble.

At the completion of registration each golfer was supplied with a mimosa (as requested), directions to the putting green/driving range, and their team's golf carts. Throughout the warm May morning, golfers were encouraged to stop by our Hydration & Libation Station equipped with coffee, Hi-Wire Brewing craft beer (https://hiwirebrewing.com/knoxville/), and water as desired. In supplying our contestants with a fun morning, Family Promise of Knoxville is thankful to the many individuals and businesses that made our Hydration & Libation Station possible.

As the competition heated up, so too did our fundraising: combining our online ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations received day-of, Family Promise of Knoxville raised just over $25,000 that will go directly to serving the most marginalized families in Knox County. We are ecstatic that our community partners support our families through their most traumatic and difficult season. Our single greatest goal - in sheltering families - is to keep families sheltered together. While working through the trauma of homelessness, the last thing a family needs is to be separated in different rooms or - even worse - separate facilities. It's a small, but dignifying step that sets Family Promise of Knoxville apart from other housing & homelessness care providers.

When it was all said and done, our teams reconvened and shared an outdoor lunch while final scores were tallied. The putting contest was sealed by the final contestant, who won a brand new putter, a gift card to Lakeside Tavern, and a 1 hour training session with a local golf pro. The two contestants that decidedly won the Closest to the Pin Contests on Hole 5 and Hole 9 were awarded with gift cards to Lakeside Tavern and Buddy's Barbecue (respectively) among other swag.

A hearty congratulations to Team Walker for their winning performance, with a -13 under round to take the Grand Prize (a weekend Sevierville getaway). The champions also received 1st Place trophies and a bottle of Tennessee bourbon.

Our 2nd Place team: Team Martin received second place trophies, additional Family Promise Knoxville tumblers - outfitted with $25 gift cards to Hi-Wire Brewing in South Knox, and key chains.

LHP Capital - a Contest Sponsor - took 3rd place and secured additional tumblers, gift cards to Balter Beerworks, and keychains.

We are already looking forward to next year's Driving Out Family Homelessness Golf Tournament. Our Events Committee meets on June 3rd to process what elements of the day need attention and what aspects went well. We are grateful for any feedback received. Also - did you know that you can join our Events Committee and help us plan fun experiences like this one - without becoming a board member. We'd greatly appreciate your time and support by serving on this committee.

Finally, a big, hefty thank you: to our Contest Sponsors LHP Capital, HomeChoice Windows & Doors, Christopoulis & Kennedy, and McCarty Holsaple McCarty; our hole sponsors, and our teams that made the day immensely fun.

See you next year,

Rev. John-Mark Brown