Golfing For A Good Cause
What a difference a year makes.
Last year, when Kevin Hefner put on the Harrisburg Junior Classic, he did so in little time.
The event, held last July, has been moved to June 19 in an effort to give the site, Shawnee Hills Country Club some space between the Junior Classic and the Fowler-Bonan Clothes For Kids Tournament.
Suffice to say, Hefner couldn't be happier with what has transpired in a years time.
Numbers are still coming in as the deadline to register is June 15 and with last year's number exceeding 30, Hefner is expecting around 50-plus this year with some even coming from Kentucky.
Boys and girls age 10-11 and 12-13 will be able to play nine holes in the tournament, while boys and girls 14-15 and 16-18 will play in an 18-hole tournament.
Hefner added an age group and he said that will help with the overall attendance and the event, which is a Southern Illinois Golf Association sanctioned points tournament, should entice other golfers from outside the local area.
Not lost in the tournament itself is the real reason for southern Illinois youngsters to tee it up; the event is in honor of Miki Pavelonis.
Pavelonis lost her battle with cancer last spring, but Miki and her husband Bob, have long been revered in the community for their golf passion and how they gave back to the youth.
Hefner remembers a time when he was that youth teeing it up at Shawnee Hills, and owes a lot of us upbringing to the Pavelonis'.
"Frankly if it weren't for them, my life would be different," Hefner, who is a sales rep for Callaway Golf out of Springfield, said. "Bob taught me and Miki ran a tournament just like this for several years and thats what got me started playing and now a career in golf. The two of them certainly made a big difference in my life. It's a pleasure to get to honor Miki and I'm sure knowing her, She'll make sure we have nice weather."
Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.
HARRISBURG JUNIOR CLASSIC
When: June 19
Where: Shawnee Hills Country Club
What: A SIGA Sanctioned Points Tournament: Boys & Girls (10-11 & 12-13; 9 holes; $20) Boys & Girls (14-15 & 16-18; 18 holes $25)
More Info: Entry deadline is June 15 — Mail Entry to Kevin Hefner, 1814 S. Cog Mill Ct. Springfield, IL. 62704 or call 314-422-4171 — All players will receive 6 Callaway Golf Balls and a hat.