Diamondback Charity Classic benefiting Hendrick Hospice Care and the Noah Project

During September and October of 1999, at the urging of Charles and Lynette Coody, a group of local citizens formed a volunteer committee to study the feasibility of community support for a significant golf event. The golf event would operate as a major fundraising activity for the operations of Hendrick Hospice Care and the Noah Project, Inc.

At an October 1999 meeting of the volunteer committee, a position paper/feasibility study was presented. The feasibility study indicated that a broad base of community support did exist for a golf tournament event and that a golf event could produce a significant amount of funding for the two charities. Key to the opportunity was the reputation of the two charities in their providing of quality critical care and counseling services to families in-need in Abilene and in the region surrounding Abilene.

Quoting from the position paper, the following was identified:

“Over the last several years, Hendrick Hospice Care has used a 1-day golf tournament as a part of their schedule of fund raising activities. While the event has been moderately successful, it is difficult to produce and to promote. In addition, the financial contribution from the event ($8k to $10k) appears to be at its peak.

The Noah Project utilizes a “theatre” production as its major fund raising event. The event has produced financial contributions of $40k to $50k. However the event is dependent on the “star” quality of performers, and there is some question as to whether or not “star” performers will continue to be available at a reasonable cost for the event.

An opportunity exists to link Hendrick Hospice Care and the Noah Project in a joint fund raising activity. The activity would be the major fund raising event of the year for each charitable operation. Given Charles and Lynette Coody’s support of these charities, the opportunity to promote and produce a high quality 1-day “Pro-Am Golf Tournament” exists---The Diamondback Charity Classic.

As a result of the positive indication of support found in the feasibility study, the
DIAMONDBACK CHARITY CLASSIC, INC. was formed and incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the State of Texas on December 21, 1999. Bylaws were adopted on
January 1, 2000. The non-profit corporation does not have any stock or shares, and in its first year of operation, it was totally staffed by volunteers. The non-profit corporation’s fundraising effort, on a basis of equal distribution of funds remaining after event expenses, was designated to benefit Hendrick Hospice Care and the Noah Project, Inc.

On February 1, 2000, the corporation filed for tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service, and on February 29, 2000 the corporation received notification from the IRS that it met the requirements for tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c) (3).

The initial Board of Directors was elected to serve two-year terms ending on December 31, 2001. The Board established an Executive Committee, which was designated to handle the planning, budgeting, and administration of the corporation’s activities. The Board also established a Nominating Committee. In addition, the Board was divided into sub committees with assigned responsibilities/activities. The standing Sub Committees are:

The Board adopted an 18-hole “Texas Scramble” format with a first year budget of 8
teams of 4 amateurs paired with a Senior PGA Tour professional and 24 teams of 4 amateurs paired with a North Texas Section of the PGA professional. An outstanding field of Senior PGA professionals played in the inaugural 2000 event, and they requested, to a man, to return for the 2001 event. The Senior PGA Tour stars playing in 2000 and 2001 were: George Archer, Don Bies, Charles Coody, Dale Douglass, Lou Graham, Gene Littler, Gil Morgan, and Howard Twitty.

The 2000 budget called for an operating profit from the event of $65k and matching grant support from local foundations of $27.5k for a total net income from the event of $93k. We exceeded the budget, and the first year results produced a total net income of $140k. The Board granted distribution of $125k to the charities.

The 2001 budget called for an operating profit from the event of $105k and matching grant support from foundations of $35k for a total net income from the event of $140k. While our matching grant support from foundations did not increase as budgeted, the 2nd event did produce $134.3k in net income. The Board granted distribution of $130k to the charities.

The June 17, 2002 event produced record results in support from the community’s businesses as well as regional and national business. Tom Purtzer replaced Don Bies in the lineup of the Senior PGA Tour stars, and, through the courtesy of Toyota Sales USA, Chi Chi Rodriguez was added to the 2002 field. The combined results of the Pro-Am Draw Party Auction, the raffle of golf clubs, the sponsorships of various tournament activities, the 3rd consecutive year of a full field of teams, support from SBC-Southwestern Bell, and the support from local foundations produced our 3rd consecutive year of record net income.

Our 2002 financial performance allowed the Diamondback Charity Classic’s Board to disperse $145,000.00 equally divided between Hendrick Hospice Care and the Noah Project, Inc. The 3-year total of grants to these charities now stands at $400,000.00.

The 2003 Diamondback Charity Classic will move to a new date. We will hold the event on the Monday after the completion of the SBC sponsored Senior PGA event in San Antonio. While the Tour schedule has not been finalized, this event is usually held during the 3rd week of October.

After 3 years of “Title Sponsorship” support, SBC did not renew its support. The reorganization of the company led to the cutback in their support of our event. However the Anderson Chemical Company of Macon, GA became a “Presenting Sponsor”, the raffle of a 2003 Dodge “Texas Edition” pickup truck, another highly successful Draw Party Auction, and the expansion to 28 Gold teams led to a record year of revenue and resulting grants to our charities. A grant totaling $150,000.00 was divided equally between Hendrick Hospice Care and the Noah Project, Inc., which raised the 4-year granted amount to $550,000.00.

Tommy Aaron, Leonard Thompson, and Bill Kratzert made their first appearances in the event. Fellow PGA Champions Tour professionals George Archer, Charles Coody, Dale Douglass, Lou Graham, and Howard Twitty joined them. We owe a special thanks to this group of 5 PGA stars who played for the 4th consecutive year.

At the November 13, 2003 Board of Directors Meeting, the Board approved to produce the 5th golf pro-am on October 11, 2004.

With the addition of Coca Bottling of Abilene as the “Title Sponsor” and the continued support of Anderson Chemical Company as the “Presenting Sponsor” and a full field of 35 teams; the event produced $160,000.00 in grants to Hendrick Hospice Care and the Noah Project, Inc. Each received $80,000.00. The 2004 total grant elevated the 5-year total grants made from the I-day golf event to $710,000.00.

The raffle of the Dodge “Rumble Bee” Limited Edition Truck produced 430 ticket sales ($43,000.00), and a nurse in the Hendrick Health System had the winning ticket. It was particularly noteworthy as Hendrick Health System employees through a payroll deduction plan purchased 78 raffle tickets. Mike Dunnahoo and his staff at Star Dodge-Hyundai provided terrific support for the raffle, and, during a 2-½ month time-span, the truck was on display at many different locations in Abilene.

On the Pro-am day, Coca Cola Bottling of Abilene, Bill Reed Distributing, and Sam’s Club provided food and refreshments to all of the golfers and volunteers. All noticed their first-class support.

A terrific array of professional golf talent captained the 35 four-man amateur teams. The 2004 field of Champions Tour professionals returning to Abilene included: host Charles Coody, Dale Douglass, Howard Twitty, Lou Graham, and Gil Morgan. Playing in their first Diamondback Charity Classic Pro-am were: Jay Sigel, Andy Bean, and Bob Charles. The golf professional field of 27 North Texas Section of the PGA included former PGA Tour players: Roy Pace, Rives McBee, Jackie Cupit, and Lindy Miller.

At the November 18, 2004 Board of Directors Meeting, the Board approved a 6th Diamondback Charity Classic Pro-am, which will be played on Monday, September 26, 2005.

After four years of being granted advanced ruling status as a public charity, the Diamondback Charity Classic, Inc., on July 5, 2005, received notification from the Internal Revenue Service of being officially classified as a tax exempt public charity. We passed from the IRS advanced ruling status to IRS official status as a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization.

With the continued “Title Sponsor” support of Abilene Coca Cola Bottling and “Presenting Sponsor” support of Anderson Chemical Co., the 6th pro-am produced an $80,000.00 grant to Hendrick Hospice Care and an $80,000.00 grant to the Noah Project. In addition, a special memorial grant was made in honor of George Archer to the World Harvest Ministries. George was a special friend to Abilene, and his appearance in our first 5 events was a key element in our success.

A field of 34 teams enjoyed perfect playing conditions at the Diamondback Golf Club. Returning from the Champions Tour of the PGA were: Charles Coody, Bob Charles, Dale Douglass, Gil Morgan, Tom Purtzer, and Howard Twitty. They were joined by Champions Tour professionals: Mike McCullough and Doug Tewell. A record low score for was produced by the team captained by ex PGA Tour and retired PGA professional Roy Pace who provided the winning shot with an eagle on the 18th hole for his Star Family of Dealerships team.

At the December 8, 2005 meeting of the Board of Directors, the Board approved a 2006 event to be held on May 15, 2006. In addition the Board approved a budget for the 7th pro-am. Attainment of the budget will result in grants in excess of $160,000.00, which will raise the accumulated grants to over $1,000,000.00. Abilene Coca Cola Bottling made the commitment to return as the “Title Sponsor” of the event.

In record time, the 2006 tournament reached its $1 million goal.

With less than six months to plan the seventh annual Diamondback Charity Classic, the Board of Directors had to thit the ground running. Abilene Coca Cola Bottling, title sponsor, Anderson Chemical and WalMart, presenting sponsors, all agreed to remain as key sponsors. The tournament was fortunate to add CitiBank as a new presenting sponsor. All board members in their usual fashion stepped up to secure all the needed sponsors to make this tournament again the best ever. The results of the tournament pushed the giving to the two charities, in just seven years, over the 2006 goal topping the $1 million mark.

The weather was perfect, and the golf course was in excellent condition to welcome all of the players. Seven Champions Tour professionals returned to be a part of this worth-while event. They were Charles Coody, Bob Charles, Dale Douglass, Gil Morgan, Tom Purtzer, Howard Twitty and Doug Tewell. A last minute replacement for Lou Graham and a first-time golfer to the tourament was David Edwards. Edwards joined the Champions Tour this year. Along with the Champions Tour golfers, professionals from the North Texas Section of the PGA joined sponsoring teams for this one-day, pro-am event.

The sponsorships provided for this premier tournament have continued to grow each year allowing the wonderful distribution in 2006 of more than $80,000 to each of the two charities. The raffle of the Dodge Ram pickup added to the totals. The 2006 raffle was won by two employees of Star Dodge Hyundai, Cory McGee and Jesse Ramos. The two split a ticket and the proceeds from the sale of the truck.

The eighth edition of the Diamondback Charity Classic almost was not played. Early morning intermittent heavy rains delayed the start of the event by two hours. In spite of the delay, the event was completed on time. The “sold-out” field of 36 teams enjoyed their opportunity to play with their team captains from the North Texas Section of the PGA and the Champions Tour of the PGA. For the second straight year, the tournament produced $170,000 in grants, which made the wight-year cumulative grants total $1,214,000.

For the fourth consecutive year Abilene Coca Cola Bottling was the “Title Sponsor” of the event. They were joined by CitiBank (for the second consecutive year) as the “Presenting Sponsor” of the event. The event had a full field of 8 teams with each team captained by a Champions Tour professional and 28 teams with each team captained by a North Texas Section of the PGA professional. The majority of the team captains have played in our event many times, and many of them have been with us since the inaugural event in 2000. Our event has taken on a reunion feeling, and amateur players and professional players greatly enjoy renewing their friendships made from the previous years’ events.

Returning from the Champions Tour of the PGA were: Charles Coody, David Edwards, Lou Graham, Gil Morgan, Tom Purtzer, Doug Tewell, and Howard Twitty. Making his first appearance in our event was British Open (1969) and U.S. Open (1970) champion Tony Jacklin.

Mike Dunnahoo’s Star Dodge-Hyundai provided a Dodge Nitro SUV for the Raffle, and it proved to be a winner by producing a record number of raffle tickets sold. At the Sunday night Draw Party, the auction of golf collectibles and golf trips produced a record amount of sales--- among the items were collectibles from Arnold Palmer, the Masters, Jack Nicklaus, and golf vacation trips to the Texas Hill Country.

At the July 19 Board of Directors meeting, the Board approved continuing the event for 2008 with May 5, 2008 being selected as the date. Also at the September 13 Board of Directors meeting, grants of $85,000 were made to each of the benefiting charities, Hendrick Hospice Care and the Noah Project, which raised the cumulative eight-year total grants to $1,214,000.