Fort Smith Fire Department aids First Tee fundraiser

A $5,000 winner was found and 66 young golfers showed their skills as The First Tee of Fort Smith held its annual Kid's Skills Challenge, family fun day, and Ultimate Ball Drop on Saturday (Aug. 10) at the First Tee of Fort Smith facility and course.

The players competed in five different age groups to see who would come out on top of the skills they had learned over summer. Competition included putting, chipping, and driving. First, second, and third place winners were awarded with medals. First place overall winners also received a trophy. To be considered for the overall award, older participants had to submit an essay about one of First Tee's nine core values:  ntegrity, judgment, honesty, responsibility, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, perseverance, and courtesy.

The event also included the Ultimate Golf Ball Drop and a family fun day filled with games for kids to play such as tug-o-war, toe sack races, water balloons. Guests were served hot dogs, drinks, and chips for lunch.

Traditionally, the ball drop is usually dropped from a helicopter. However, this year, the balls were dropped from a ladder truck with the Fort Smith Fire Department. Kris Scott, First Tee of Fort Smith executive director, said they couldn't find a helicopter and thought it would be good exposure for the new FSFD ladder truck and substation.

Patrons donated $10 for a numbered ticket which corresponded to a golf ball. The balls were then placed in giant duffle bags and released from the top of the ladder over a hole at the First Tee course. One lucky winner's ball actually fell into the hole which banked her $5,000. The lucky winner was Sheila Bailey of Muldrow, Okla.

Evan Griffith sold the most tickets selling 52 and won $100. More than 1,200 tickets were sold for the golf balls.

"The Ultimate Ball Drop is our largest fundraiser of the year and the monies raised are what keep our doors open year round," Scott said.

Mason Goodson was awarded the Nine Core Value Scholarship from The First Tee.  Mason has been attending First Tee since the age of five.

"Basically, First Tee has made me into the person I am today. I try to use life skills and the nine core values everyday,” he said.

Mason plans to attend the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith this fall where he is majoring in mechanical engineering.

Paige McCain was awarded the Cindy Bagby Scholarship and also plans to attend UAFS in the fall. She is majoring in secondary education and would like to coach or be a teacher. Before The First Tee, McCain said she was a shy girl. The First Tee has helped her break out of her shell and become a more social person. Her advice to others: “Stick with The First Tee. It has a lot to offer and gives great opportunities to give back to the community."

COMPETITION WINNERS
5 and 6-year-old skills competition winners are Dakota King, Isaac Parker, Nate Whittington, Hudson Kersh, Beckett Brown, and Peyton Zimmerman.

7 to 9-year-old girls skills competition winners are Haley Jackson, Ella Kuykendall, K'ya Cole, Indy Norwood, and Charlie Whorton.

7 to 9-year-old boys winners Remington Reed, Carter Zimmerman, Dalton Smith, Connor Teague, Benjamin Bryan, and Jett Frazier.

10 to 13-year-old girls winners Kirsten Matlock, Katie Settle, and Sydnie Gamble.

10 to 13-year-old boys skills winners Logan Gregory, Kyle Bellisario, Houston Sowell, Andy Clark, Matthew Moran, Landon Gregory, Evan Griffith, and Presley Sayakhoummane.

14 to 17-year-old girls Michaela Earls, Claire Rose Latta, Katie Latta, Liz Driggers, and Kirsti Teale.

Gold winners are John Driggers, Liz Driggers, and Kirsti Teale.