THE GALLIPEAU HARRIS FOUNDATION 2005 WORLD GOLFATHON


The Second Annual Gallipeau Harris Foundation World Golf-A-Thon was held on April 18 th, 2005. This is one of the primary fundraisers for The Gallipeau Harris Foundation.

Golfathoners getting ready to tee off.

The event consists of 4-man teams, each playing as many holes of golf as possible in one day. This is truly an international event. For 2005, golfers committed to take part in the Washington, D.C. area, in Southern California, in New York. and in London, England.

The first shot in the 2005 Golfathon. Only 71 more holes to go!

The event in the Washington DC area was held at Evergreen Country Club in Haymarket, Virginia. Evergreen CC, a beautiful golf course located in the foothills of Bull Run Mountain, generously provided use of their facilities for the day for no charge.

After the original date was cancelled due to terrible weather, participants were blessed with a superb day for a golf marathon – 75 degrees and clear blues skies with a light breeze. The participants were: Scott Porter, Doug Bradley, Keith Betts, Robert Truelove, Byron Mulhall; Chris Flynn; Kenny Emson and Cal Coolidge.

Our host PGA Professionals; Chris Hall and Larry Hammerbacher

A wonderful day was enjoyed all. The longer daylight hours and fine weather allowed a total of 72 holes to be played, beating last years total of 65. The highlight of the day were eagles by Cal Coolidge and Andy on the par 5 second hole. The Pro’s at Evergreen, Chris Hall and Larry Hammerbacher, joined the participants for 18 holes. Both made generous donations to the Foundation.

Participants loved the unique format of the event and the opportunity to play golf on great golf courses. All players were required to raise at least $500 to participate (most raised far more than this). Almost $10,000 was raised on this day.

Said Scott Porter, who works, and received tremendous support from employees at the Australian Embassy, in Washington, DC, “It was a superb day. It’s great to play golf all day, have fun and raise money for a worthy cause. I hope to play next year for sure.”

The Foundation supports poor students and provides Tsunami Relief in Thailand. The funds raised go directly to support the following programs:

• Support of 193 children orphaned by the Tsunami of December 26, 2004
• Rebuilding of schools in Tsunami hit areas
• Sponsorship of 173 poor high school students in Korat, Thailand
• Sponsorship of 20 poor students in Lampang, Thailand.
• Support of the Phyathai Orphanage in Bangkok
• Plans for the future include: Continued Tsunami relief; sponsoring additional students; providing teacher training; offering higher education (university) scholarships.

If you are interested in supporting the event through financial sponsorship or want to form your own group to participate in the 2006 Golfathon please contact Andy Harris at andy@gallipeauharris.org