The last Players Championship Charitable Grant will help children at an early start center in Northwest Jacksonville with more outdoor activities.
Episcopal Children’s Services received $25,000 from The Players to fund an outdoor play and learning project at the Startup Center on West 18th Street. It’s in an area where more than 40% of the population earns less than the federal poverty level and has the highest crime rate in the city.
Room passed: The World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum will close at the end of 2023 and merge with the USGA at Pinehurst
The donation will allow the center to have a play area for babies/toddlers specially designed to encourage the physical, emotional, creative and mental development of these ages, as well as the integration of artistic, musical and natural experiences that develop gross and fine motor skills.
Because the children who attend ECS often live in unsafe neighborhoods, many only experience the joy of outdoor play when they are at the Early Head Start center.
“We are delighted to partner with The Players, an organization that has supported our mission for many years,” said Connie Stophel, CEO of Episcopal Children’s Services, in a statement. “This generous grant and investment in our community will undoubtedly improve the lives of the young children and vulnerable families for whom we strive to serve. We couldn’t be more grateful.
Executive Player Director Jared Rice said the tournament’s charity committee jumped at the chance to help ECS when they learned they wanted to build the outdoor space.
This is the latest in a series of grants in the Urban core of Jacksonville.
“When we heard about the need to give more children in our community the chance to experience the joy and peace that comes from free play, it was obvious that we had to get involved in supporting this important project,” said Rice said in a statement. “We have a special place in our hearts to support young people and give them the tools and resources to succeed, and we can’t wait to see this field come to life.
Episcopal Children’s Services serves more than 25,000 children and their families in 14 Florida counties. ECS offers School Readiness, Head Start, and Early Head Start programs in Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Marion, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lake, Levy, Citrus, and Alachua counties .
ECS uses research and best practices to help families ensure their children enter school ready to learn. Talented and dedicated teachers and staff work proactively with children from birth to five and their families to build a strong educational foundation.
Loan to Bandon Dunes
One of the largest contingents of junior players in the United States Junior First Coast will begin play Monday at two courses in Bandon Dunes, Oregon.
There will be two stroke play qualifying rounds on Monday and Tuesday in Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails, with the top 64 qualifying for match play in Bandon Dunes.
Tee times for the first two rounds for First Coast (EDT) players:
Matthew French, Orange Park: 10:32 a.m. (BD no. 1); 3:52 p.m. (BT No. 10).
Luc Balakiewicz, Jacksonville: 11:54 a.m. (BD #10); 5:09 p.m. (BT n°1).
Andrew McLauchlan, Neptune Beach: 4:03 p.m. (BD #10); 10:48 a.m. (BT No. 1).
Carson Brewer, Ponte Vedra Beach: 11:10 a.m. (BT 1); 4:25 p.m. (BD No. 10).
Miles Russell, Jacksonville Beach: 11:54 a.m. (BT #10); 5:04 p.m. (BD #1).
Philip Dunham, Ponte Vedra Beach: 5:09 p.m. (BT No. 1); 11:54 a.m. (BD No. 10).
Sam Davis, Jacksonville: 3:41 p.m. (BT #10); 10:21 a.m. (BD No. 1).
Nolan Harper, Saint-Augustin: 4:14 p.m. (BT n°10); 10:54 a.m. (BD No. 1).
Schroeder wins the first round
A year after reaching the quarter-finals of the US Junior Girls, Kaitlyn Schröder of Jacksonville was defeated in the second round last week at the Club at Olde Stone in Bowling Green, Ky.
Schroeder went from qualifying in stroke play with a 3 of 149 (the course was par-73), a tie for 40th and beat Trinity Beth of Calvert City, Ky., 3 and 2 in the first round.
Schroeder had a 2-12 hole lead and held on. She then fell to Reese McCauley in 20 holes.
Dunn has a hot day
Jon Dunn of Jacksonville took part in mini-tours in Florida as a youth, but had one of his most memorable days on the golf course on July 16 in North Hampton.
Dunn shot a 67 to beat his age of 68 and had a searing front nine, his back after starting the 10th hole. After shooting 2 on the back, he turned and was 7-under 29 for the rest of his day. He hit two eagles, one on the par-5 sixth hole and another on the par-4 eighth hole, when he landed a corner after hitting a hybrid from the tee.
Contact Garry Smits at [email protected]
