By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence golf will honor one of its own, and offer assistance to an alumni family with a child battling a disease, with the 17th annual Steven Stenger Memorial Tournament at Otis Park on July 31.
The proceeds from the event, staged by BNL golf alumni, are used to benefit the BNL teams and the North Lawrence Scholarship Foundation. This year, in addition to raising money for the golf teams, funds will be used to help Andy and Jordan (Cole) Webb, two BNL golf alumni. Their 3-year old daughter Harbor was recently diagnosed with Stage 2B GanglioNueroblastoma.
“BNL golf is a family,” event organizer Aaron Harrell said. “They are in need of everyone’s support, thoughts and prayers. When a member of the family is in need, we will do all that we can to support them.”
The scramble honors a young man who symbolized the ideals of the program. Stenger was a member of BNL’s state finalist team in 1997, a college player at the University of Southern Indiana and an assistant professional with a deep love for the sport. He was killed in an automobile accident at the age of 23.
His legacy lives on with the tournament bearing his name. The BNL golf program has produced extraordinary young men and women, and this tourney has become a reunion event for past players. It’s also an opportunity for the current BNL teams to thank those who paved the way.
The BNL golf teams use some of the funds raised for apparel, swing aids, clinics and other equipment. Proceeds also help fund a NLCS scholarship in Stenger’s name for a graduating senior.
“The golf tournament, at this time, is the largest Steven Stenger Memorial tournament that we have ever had,” Harrell said. “We are currently full at 28 teams but do have a wait list in case a team would need to back out.”
The event will also feature a silent auction, and all funds raised from the auction will be given directly to the Webb family. Silent auction items will set up at the Otis Park bath house between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. The silent auction will end at the conclusion of the the awards ceremony for the golf tournament.
Some featured auction items include a foursome at the Pete Dye Golf Course at French Lick, a foursome at the Donald Ross Golf Course at French Lick, four tickets to Soaky Mountain Waterpark in Sevierville, TN., four tickets to Holiday World, and Indiana University football tickets.
“Please know that because you do not have to be playing in order to be involved,” Harrell said. “The auction will be open to the public. Please consider stopping by to bid on one of the many great items. We will also have a donation bucket if you wish to make a donation to the Webb family instead of bidding on an item.
“We want to thank everyone for their support of this event, including the City of Bedford, Otis Park Golf Course, BNL Golf Alumni, all of our many hole sponsors, and our many players through the years.”
Any individual or business wishing to donate to the auction can contact Harrell via Facebook.
