TECO team members and contractors again relished the opportunity to putt their hearts into helping the community at the 19th annual – and biggest-ever – Big Bend Golf Tournament. And while 200-plus people enjoyed the competition on the course, you might say the true winners were the local organizations that benefitted from the sizable donations the tournament collected.
For those keeping track, here’s the scorecard:
- $30,000 in donations to Mary & Martha House in Ruskin.
- $7,500 in donations to Redlands Christian Migrant Association in Wimauma.
- $15,000 in donations for $1,000 scholarships awarded to East Bay High School graduates (four scholarships awarded in 2015 and 11 renewal scholarships).
- $1,500 in donations to Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center in Ruskin.
- $2,500 in donations to Buddy Baseball.
- $250 in donations to Plant City Little League.
- Other donations for additional charitable causes in the Tampa Bay area.
David Hagelberg, manager of Flue Gas Desulfurization Operations at Big Bend Power Station and one of several team members who work behind the scenes each year to make the tournament a success, said the planning team moved the tournament from former host venue Club Renaissance at Sun City Center to Champions Gate Golf in Orlando to accommodate the greater number of people who wanted to participate.
“It’s outstanding to see more people who share TECO’s commitment to being a positive force in the community,” Hagelberg said. “People love the camaraderie and love the game and look forward to it each year. The tournament has really taken on a life of its own.”
In 2015, more than 244 players and vendors took part in the tournament. On the event planning committee with Hagelberg were Vivienne Davis, administrative assistant; Karen Zwolak, manager of Environmental Services; Jack Prestwood, manager of Maintenance; David Knapp, manager of Maintenance Planning & Contract Services; Vicki Lamb, administrative specialist lead; Terry Miller, manager of Operations; Tim Parsons, manager of Engineering; and Big Bend Power Station Director Ron Bishop, who added praise for many others.
“I’d like to thank all the TECO team members and contractors for their support,” Bishop said. “This year’s fundraiser was the largest-ever for the station, allowing us to provide greater assistance to even more throughout the community.”
Mary & Martha House’s Executive Director Laurie Kepler added praise of her own for the efforts of all involved.
“So many families are touched by domestic violence in some form – without community champions like the people of TECO and Big Bend Power Station, Mary & Martha House could not provide much needed services for our women and children,” she said. “We are so very grateful for their continuing support.”
Tournament costs and donations were funded by the participant fees, including contributions from our contractors.
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