The second-annual OTC Foundation Golf Tournament raised money and made friends for Ozarks Technical Community College.
The tournament, held Monday (Aug. 25) at Highland Springs Country Club, drew 92 participants who formed 23 teams. Officials estimated the event raised more than $10,000, all of which goes to the foundation's student scholarship fund.
“The golf tournament is a friend-raiser, more than a fund-raiser, which we hope leads to gifts,” said Marshall Gordon, president of the foundation board.
OTC President Hal Higdon told the crowd who came for the tournament that “it's an exciting time in the life of the college.”
“One part that's exciting is what's happening with the foundation. It's helping students who need help to go to college. There are about 5,000 students who get no help from the federal government to go to college,” he said.
Higdon said a golf tournament was held annually at the community college he worked in Mississippi before coming to OTC two years ago.
“Some said it wouldn't work here but Pam Vokolek (Director of Development) and Stephanie Brown (Director of Special Events and Alumni Relations) did a terrific job and raised $12,000 last year at the first tournament,” Higdon said. “It gives us an opportunity for people to learn about the college.”
Brown said she wanted to give all those participating in the tournament high 5s as they headed out to the course.
“We are very pleased that they all came out here and took the time to meet with us, talk to the president and hear the mission of OTC,” Brown said.
Carol Jones of Carol Jones Realtors, who sponsored the tournament lunch, said she wishes OTC would have been around when she was college-aged.
“I could never afford to go to college. If there have been an OTC, I could have gone,” she said.
Jones appreciates the work that OTC does for local students.
“The kids get a good education at OTC and then can transfer on to a bigger college. The money I give goes to the scholarships so that's why I give it,” she said.