Patriot Golf Classic provides students college opportunity

Economics major Jennah Lewis owes her college education, in part, to a little dimpled ball and the people who love to hit it.

Call it philanthropic fun for participants who pay to play in the annual Patriot Golf Classic.

The event has raised $1.6 million for University scholarships since its inception nearly 34 years ago, officials said.

For Lewis, the scholarship fund is helping her achieve her goal — a college education.

“Neither of my parents got a college education,” she said. “I always did well in high school, so I knew I was going to college.”

That is exactly why a group of Tyler civic and business leaders established the golf tournament which funds the Ambassador Scholarship, The Patriot Classic Scholarship and the Patriot Million-Dollar Hole-In-One Scholarship, Deanna Sims, director of major gifts and advancement services, said.

The hole-in-one event operates May 8-17 on the practice soccer field. Participants pay $1 for a chance to make an ace during daily rounds. Those who make it closest to the hole that day qualify for a final shot with a payoff of $1 million for a hole-in-one.

The finals begin at 1:30 p.m. May 16 at the Cascade Golf Club.

The golf tournament on May 17 at Hollytree Country Club consists of 50 teams who pay $2,500 each to play. Contestants also are invited to a sponsors’ party on May 16.

Debbie Wood, director of special events said a crew of volunteers assist the tournament.

“I appreciate all the volunteers who are so committed, who contribute to the success of the event,” Wood said. “It takes a lot of volunteers to do all the work.”

“I’ve been involved in one capacity or another for the past for 10 to 15 years, (and) the most fun part of it is knowing we raise funds for scholarships,” tournament chairman Willie Redford said.

Redford said along with chairing the tournament, he plans to play in one of the events.

“I will play with one of the winners and some other people,” he said.

For Lewis, attending college was always possible.

About the age of 2, she and her seven siblings entered the foster care system.

“My mom was a drug addict,” Lewis said. “She had affairs with several men and was very neglectful of her children. Her adoptive father is retired and depends on social security and her adoptive mom works in law enforcement, she said.

Yet Lewis did not let her parents’ limited finances deter her from pursuing a college education.

Now 21, Lewis represents the reason why the University’s scholarship program is important.

“My parents don’t work for a lot of money,” Lewis said. “That’s how I go to college, only on financial aid. She said she is taking courses in international relations to prepare for her career.

“I want to work with the United Nations and the embassies,” she said.

She is thankful for the scholarships she received and relieved she is debt free.

“It’s nice that I don’t have to worry about paying it back, although I am paying it back by getting good grades,” Lewis said.