Come golf your heart out, Williams

The Third Annual Kevin Twitty Memorial Golf Tournament comes to Williams Sept. 23 and preparations are almost complete.

The tournament began in 2004 as a way for local residents Chuck and Linda Eaton to memorialize their late son, Kevin Twitty, and to do something constructive for the community in his namesake.

The first tournament raised a gross amount of $34,000 ‹ the net proceeds of which went to the Williams Habitat for Humanity for the group to build its first home.

Last year, the Eatons wanted to choose another charitable organization to share in the benefits. After doing some research, the two landed on a much better idea ‹ starting a perpetual fund that would be able to benefit any chosen charity in town.

The Greater Williams Community Fund was born and at the 2005 tournament, $10,000 of the net proceeds was set aside for the fund while the rest went to Habitat.

This year, the Eatons have already lined up $25,000 in sponsorship commitments, most of which is already in the bank.

"We'll be splitting the proceeds this year equally between the fund and Habitat for Humanity," Linda said.

The Third Annual Kevin Twitty Memorial Golf Tournament will be a two-person scramble format with a shotgun start of 10 a.m. at the Elephant Rocks Golf Course.

Early registration has already booked more than 100 participants. The event has room for 144, and registration is filling fast, so the Eatons are encouraging all interested parties to get on board soon.

Registration fees include the green fee, breakfast, an hors d'oeuvres buffet, a complimentary team photo and gift bag.

As in past events, a Friends of Kevin booth will be set up at the eighth hole to distribute free lip balm, golf caps and Linda Eaton's famous home-made cookies to golfers.

A plethora of prizes awaits not only those who participate, but spectators as well.

For the golfers, there's the usual hole contests, closest-to-the-pin contests, and the Jet Blue challenge where a hole-in-one on any par 3 receives a golf resort vacation package.

In addition, four lucky closest-to-the-pin winners will qualify for a hole-in-one shootout at the 18th hole for a chance to win $50,000.

Spectators can buy in on the event's lunch and can also participate in the raffle drawings and silent auction. Featured prizes include trips, tools and more.

Door prizes will be distributed as well as a "grand" door prize of $200, but winners must be present.

The success of the event and the glorious amount of prizes is only made possible by the generosity of the community and outside sponsors.

"We really want to thank the community for all its past and present support and a big thanks also goes out to the sponsors from outside the area," Linda said.

Even the Williams Kiwanis club is getting into the act by making 400 "angeled" (as opposed to deviled) eggs for the golfers.

Some of the raffle and silent auction prizes ‹ such as beautiful hand-made quilts and golf accessories ‹ are on display at APS, National Bank of Arizona and the Stockmen's Bank in Williams.

The Greater Williams Community Fund has grown quite a bit since its inception. With tournament proceeds, two $25,000 matching donations from Mike Morgan and Grand Canyon-Northland Amusements and Entertainment, LLC, and numerous donations from local and outside sources, the fund is now at $112,000.

The Eatons also wanted to thank Jack Hadley for his efforts on the fund's steering committee and are pleased to announce that the GWCF's first grant ‹ in the amount of $3,700 ‹ will be awarded, hopefully sometime before or around the Christmas holiday.

As far as Williams Habitat for Humanity and its plans for the tourney's net proceeds, WHH member Bud Parenteau said that the group's first full home, at the Fifth Street/McPherson Avenue intersection, should be complete soon.

Parenteau wished not only to thank the tournament's organizers and participants, but all those who have volunteered and/or donated to help construct the home.

After the home's completion, WHH will continue to find structures that need rehabilitation while, at the same time, looking for a new empty lot to build their next home.

Another popular Grand Opry Night WHH fund-raiser is scheduled for late October.

In addition, a Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors mixer will be held on Sept. 22 at Wild West Junction from 5-7 p.m. to celebrate the Third Annual Kevin Twitty Memorial Golf Tournament's new chamber membership.

For more information, contact the Eatons at 635-2472 or log on to www.kevingolf.com.