Fort Smith Classic hands out checks, talks future sustainability

Support for Fort Smith area charities and long-term support for a PGA Tour event that helps raise money for the charities were part of a Wednesday (Nov. 18) meeting of the Fort Smith Classic board of directors.

Chester Koprovic, a prominent Fort Smith businessman, was on hand Wednesday morning to help The Fort Smith Classic present $71,000 to the 2009 Beth Koprovic Memorial Charities.

The Koprovic charities was established in conjunction with The Fort Smith Classic as a tribute to Chester Koprovic’s late wife Beth.

The 2009 Beth Koprovic Charities are:
• Children’s Emergency Shelter
• Children’s Service League
• Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club
• Girls Inc.
• The First Tee of Fort Smith
• WestArk RSVP

Also, the “Classic Cause” of the event is the Susan G. Komen for the Cure-Ozark affiliate.

“My late wife Beth would be proud,” Koprovic said prior to handing checks to representatives of the aforementioned charities and organizations. To date, the Fort Smith Classic has given just under $1.4 million to non-profit groups.

Patricia Brown, executive director of the Fort Smith Classic, said The Classic organizers and sponsors are planning to work hard in 2010 to generate more for charities.

“And hopefully, the recession will be over,” Brown said, referring to the difficulties in raising money in the past year.

The 11-member Classic board has been challenged to raise about $250,000 to ensure the professional golf tournament continues to play in Fort Smith. The Classic announced in late August that Little Rock-based Stephens Inc. would not continue with a $225,000 presenting sponsorship.  www.thecitywire.com/?q=node/5832

The Fort Smith Classic is the only men’s PGA Tour sanctioned event in Arkansas, and is scheduled for its 13th consecutive appearance in Fort Smith at Hardscrabble Country Club during the week of June 14-20.

To create more organizational and financial stability from year to year, The Classic is working close with the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith to develop what Brown called a “long-range stability program.” Brown said instead of just planning from year to year, each year of The Classic should meet goals or markers that are part of a larger strategy.

Dr. Paul Beran, UAFS chancellor, said part of the effort will include asking tough questions about the future of The Classic.

“We’ve got some major decisions about what is the purpose of this (The Classic); decisions not just for Fort Smith, but for Arkansas,” Beran said.

Beran and Brown said the primary goal of a stability focus is to develop several options for the future of The Classic and then bring those to the Classic board for discussion.