The Foundation for Safer Athletic Field Environments (SAFE), the charitable arm of the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA), raised more than $27,000 for scholarship, research and education during the 2009 STMA Conference and Exhibition held in San Jose, Calif., Jan. 13-17. These monies were raised through many events including a golf tournament, raffles, and auctions held throughout the conference.
More than 100 golfers competed in the Ninth Annual SAFE Jacobsen Golf Tournament held at The Ranch Golf Club and those golfers donated almost $14,000 to SAFE. The tournament was won with a score of fifteen-under par (57) by the team of Dan Douglas, Steve LeGros, Neil Pate, and Todd Vanek. The course provided STMA members with a challenge, but also spectacular views and natural scenery. The SAFE Jacobsen Golf Tournament would not be possible without the generous contributions of Jacobsen, a Textron Company. Since it began sponsoring the tournament, Jacobsen has raised more than $130,000 for SAFE and contributed to countless memories for STMA golfers each year.
Doug Schattinger was the lucky winner of the 50/50 Raffle at the Welcome Reception on Wed., Jan. 14, but donated his winnings back to SAFE, bringing the total raised in that event to $1,245. The annual SAFE Auctions conducted in the Exhibition Hall and at the Awards Banquet Reception on Friday brought in more than $8,900. Winners walked away with some amazing autographed memorabilia, apparel, a Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit, hotel packages, tickets to a race at Talladega Superspeedway, golf gear, and sports turf specific equipment. The Large Item Raffle held at the Awards Banquet Reception was a success as well, raising more than $3,200. A Garmin Nuvi GPS, Apple iPhone 3G, and 32” LCD TV were given away to lucky winners. About SAFE: The Foundation for Safer Athletic Field Environments was created to provide research, educational programs, and scholarships geared to sports field specific endeavors. It is the dream-child of the nation’s only association for the sports turf industry – the Sports Turf Managers Association.