TEXARKANA — For the last few days, Texarkana has become a central collection point for about 278 pro golf players from across the country and around the world — and all for a good cause.
This past week, the Sixth Annual Texarkana Children’s Charities Open All Pro Golf Tournament has attracted some 188 male pro-golfers and at least 90 female pro-golfers — some of who are from at least 19 different countries, according to Mark Van Herpen, the tournament’s organizer.
This annual event, which is jointly hosted both the Texarkana Country Club and Northridge Country Club, raises funds for the Runnin WJ Ranch.
To date, this tournament as collected between $100,000 and $150,000 in charitable proceeds for the ranch since tournament’s inception about six years ago, said Runnin WJ Ranch Executive Director Sam Clem.
“Really the only thing I can say is that everything here is really all about the Lord,” Clem said. “We have so many people coming from everywhere to help us. People here have talked to the pros about this charity and our special needs children.”
Fans line up Friday for autographs from the golf pros participating in the sixth annual Texarkana Children’s Charities Open All Pro Golf Tournament in Texarkana. Staff photo by Greg Bischof
Zack Fischer, one of the golf pros, and a 2007 Texas Highs School graduate, said he enjoys being a hometown boy who gets to come back and participate in the tournament’s one-hour golf learning clinic for the special needs children.
“I get to come back and see my family and it’s really great to see the smiles on all the kids’ faces,” he said.
Besides kids from the Runnin WJ Ranch, children from the Water Springs Ranch get to participate in the clinic, while adults from places like Haven Homes, help set up and prepare for the tournament.
This year’s tournament also marks the second year it’s had an activity camp set up for special needs children called I Can Swim Texarkana.
“We teach kids with disabilities how to swim,”said Lisa Ruby, the camp’s organizer.”Right now, we have 26 kids, ages 3 and up. It’s our job to help get kids to feel comfortable in the water, as well as help make them ready to swim.”
The tournament ends today with the golf finalists competing.