A sense of community depends on a shared culture and shared beliefs. But what about sports? Specifically, for this group, that sport is golf.
Golf is the tie that binds a group of enthusiasts at the Country Club of Ocala Turnpike Cup. Modeled after the Ryder Cup, the Turnpike Cup group, headed by founder Bill Searcy, recently held a memorable dinner at the downtown Cantina Tex-Mex restaurant. Dinner was followed by a fun awards show modeled after a late-night talk show with videos, mini-movies and live interviews. The awards show was held in the Magnolia Room at the downtown Lodge Craft Pub and Eatery. Jackson Reed was the writer, director and producer of the awards show, which resonated with laughter.
“The Turnpike Cup is all about friends, competition and our community,” says Bill Searcy. “We are going to make a difference to a lot of people in the Ocala area. We are proud of what we have done so far, but we have only just begun.”
The dinner and awards show were a fundraiser for Foster Florida Ocala. Over 20,000 children are in foster care in the state of Florida, and many are traumatized by life’s crucible of challenges. The mission of Foster Florida Ocala is to empower families on the frontlines of foster care by mobilizing and equipping their communities to support them. Events, giveaways, sports scholarships, childcare and so much more are all areas where Foster Florida Ocala makes a difference. Each year the largest events are the Easter egg hunt, pool party, back-to-school bash and Christmas extravaganza.
Foster Florida Ocala is the local chapter for Foster Florida, which is a non-profit organization. You can learn more about them at their Facebook page. To make a much-appreciated donation, visit fosterflorida.org/donate.
See photos from the event in the January issue of 352 Preview Magazine at the link below.
Check out more local entertainment like this at 352preview.com.
