With a mission of opening up recreation to all, the second annual Raymond C. Davis, Sr. Access To Recreation Endowment Fund Golf Outing (on October 3) was a resounding success.
‘We doubled the number of golfers from last year,? outing organizer Ron Davis said. ‘It speaks volumes about what people thought of my dad, the purpose of the outing and the quality of the outing.?
Davis said there were 244 golfers swinging away on two Oxford-area courses — Devil’s Ridge, and Metamora country clubs. ‘Last year we had 132 golfers.?
According to Davis, golfers came from as far away as Traverse City, Grand Rapids and Holland.
The final tabulations aren’t in yet, but the outing brought in about $10,000. ‘One hundred percent of the money brought in goes to the endowment,? Ron Davis, a 1982 Clarkston High School graduate, said. Ron is also the Oxford Township Parks and Recreation director.
‘It was a beautiful day,? he said. ‘Both courses were very hospitable. Rick Fleming from Devil’s Ridge went above and beyond in helping us out.?
Davis also thanked Josh Hovis of Tool & Sport Sign Company and Dave Fulcher from Waterwork Solutions, for their support and donations.
‘This is really a community-minded event for everybody involved,? Ron Davis said.
The endowment has grown to over $30,000, and the good news, Davis added, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation agreed to match the first $100,000 raised by the Michigan Recreation & Parks Association — which oversees the Ray Davis, Sr. endowment.
Ray Davis, Sr. was very active in Clarkston area youth athletics as well as an avid outdoorsman. He spent many years as a volunteer for Clarkston Chiefs little league football, little league baseball, Clarkston Athletic Boosters and with Clarkston High School sports teams.
For decades, Davis Sr.. was hampered by severe rheumatoid arthritis — and despite the debilitating disease, he remained active. He passed away in April of 2007 at the age of 69.
In setting up the endowment, Ron Davis said, ‘You don’t realize some people have problems just walking from the parking lot to the ball field; that it’s difficult to sit in the stands at a high school football game or get to the water to go fishing.?
The endowment will help improve access to recreation throughout the state. Ron has already booked the date for next year’s outing, October 2, 2009.
‘We’re about as big as we can get, so if you want to reserve your spot it is never to early,? he said.
He is also securing corporate sponsors for the outing. To golf, or offer a sponsorship, call him at his office, 248-628-1720.
2008 Outing Notables:
Devil’s Ridge
Lowest Score Mens: Todd Bell (Oxford) foursome.
Lowest Score Womens: Denise Girschner (Clarkston) foursome
Lowest Score Mixed: Rick Laidler (Oxford) foursome.
Closest To The Pin Men: Dave Fulcher (Clarkston)
Closest To The Pin Women: Julie Boma (Grand Rapids)
Longest Drive Men: Clint Copenhaver (White Lake)
Longest Drive Women: Tracie Sinncock (Northville)
Metamora Golf and Country Club
Lowest Score Mens: Mike Murphy (Clarkston) foursome.
Lowest Score Womens: Mary Winnegar (East Lansing) foursome
Lowest Score Mixed: Dick Lamphere (Clarkston) foursome.
Closest To The Pin Men: Dick Lamphere (Clarkston)
Closest To The Pin Women: Mary Scheuer (Portland)
Longest Drive Men: Jeff Johnson (Wyandotte)
Longest Drive Women: Kae Eidson (Grand Blanc)