Golf garners gifts

Open Avenues backers pregame

Some 200 golfers teed up for the 13th Golf 4 a Cause on Aug. 28 at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers. The benefit for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma is the group’s largest fundraiser and yielded nearly $134,000.

Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms in hospitals allow parents with hospitalized children to stay steps away, rather than miles.

The tournament featured a luncheon between flights where Tai Rutledge shared with guests her experience with the Ronald McDonald House at Washington Regional in Fayetteville when her daughter was born prematurely in March. Rutledge said being able to stay at the hospital “provided some sanity, some peace.”

The group, which serves western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, has Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith and Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas in Rogers. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile provides school-based dental treatment at no cost to children’s families.

Those teeing off in support of RMHC of Arkoma included Bill Mathews, Walter Mathews, Gena Bumgarner, Greg Lancelot, Wayne Callahan, Lee Kidd, Ed Choate, Weldon Johnson, Jim Crouch, Candace Dixon-Horne, Renita Wilkerson, Joe Herriman, Jack Mitchell and Mark Bazyk.

Open Avenues backers pregamed Aug. 30 for the second annual Putts & Pints miniature golf tournament and beer tasting set for Thursday at Golf Mountain in Rogers. The pre-party at Ozark Beer Company in Rogers gave golfers a chance to size up the competition for the event which, in addition to mini golf, will include local brews, snacks and a live DJ.

The organization serves adults

with disabilities and helps its clients live as independently as possible while being active participants in the community at large. The nonprofit organization provides employment and job skills training along with job placement services.

Next up for Open Avenues is Ghouls Night Out on Oct. 26 at Sassafras Springs Vineyard in Springdale.

Among those pre-partying were Cheri and Larry Thompson, Mashia Walker, Sam Hendren, Chasnie and Jason Vinson, and Kelly and John Sampson.

For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.

Becky Ungerer NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER (from left), Terry Joe Robinson, Casandra Purtle, Brooke Crosby and Aziza-Naajee Gunn volunteer at Golf 4 a Cause to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities on Aug. 28 at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Sam Hendren (from left) and John and Kelly Sampson visit at the Open Avenues Putts & Pints pre-party Aug. 30.

Bill Mathews NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER (left) and Walter Mathews help welcome golfers for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma tournament Aug. 28 at Pinnacle Country Club.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Renita Wilkerson (left) and Candace Dixon-Horne help support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma on Aug. 28.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Tai Rutledge (from left), Gena Bumgarner and Greg Lancelot help support Ronald McDonald House Charities on Aug. 28.

Maddie and Ryan Hernandez NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER attend the Putts & Pints pre-party.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Larry and Cheri Thompson Company in Rogers. attend the Putts & Pints pre-party Aug. 30 at Ozark Beer

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Joe Herriman (from left), Jack Mitchell, Jim Crouch and Mark Bazyk participate in the Ronald McDonald House Charities golf tournment.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER (from left), Lee Kidd, Ed Choate and Weldon Johnson gather at the Golf 4 a Cause tournament at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers.