Business and community leaders came together for the 2020 Play FORE Education Golf Tournament, hosted by Hillsborough Education Foundation and Title Sponsor Batson-Cook Construction, to participate in a fun-filled day of golfing to raise funds in support of students and teachers in Hillsborough County Public Schools.
Proceeds from the tournament, held on March 9th at Avila Golf & Country Club, benefit Hillsborough Education Foundation programs—allowing HEF to continue to provide scholarships, classroom grants and free school supplies at our Teaching Tools Resource Center.
Hillsborough Education Foundation CEO Kim Jowell said she’s grateful for our Foundation’s partners who comprised the 23 teams competing in the tournament, and she appreciates the continued support of HEF’s work to provide necessary resources to Hillsborough County students and educators.
“They are helping us advance our mission of strengthening public education, and while they get to have fun, their support is making sure that we have the resources we need to invest in our teachers and our students,” Jowell said.
The teams of four competed in a scramble-style tournament that consisted of 18 holes, including a hole-in-one and putting challenge that gave participants an opportunity to win additional prizes, such as a new GMC Acadia.
Jowell was positioned at the 17th hole with Superintendent Jeff Eakins, who putt one additional ball for each team at the hole, and incoming Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Addison Davis.
Though the 2020 tournament was Eakins’ last as Superintendent, he was appreciative of the past five years he was able to participate in the tournament and happy to be on the green with Jowell as he passed the torch—or putter so to speak—to Davis.
“All the folks out here today are swinging on behalf of the Hillsborough Education Foundation and all of the great things they do for students,” Superintendent Eakins said. “Mr. Davis is out here seeing all that the Foundation does, hearing all the great stories about all that they do for our kids.”
With Eakins’ retirement, Superintendent Davis recognized that he has big shoes to fill both in the district and as the designated additional putter at the tournament. Davis is looking forward to next year’s tournament as well as working with Hillsborough Education Foundation throughout the year.
“Day six on the job, and it’s evident that education is the foundation and a priority within Hillsborough County,” Superintendent Davis said. “Hillsborough Education Foundation brings business leaders and civic leaders together to truly talk about the foundational needs of our community and I look forward to a great partnership moving forward and doing everything that we can in order to accelerate Hillsborough and do great things for our children.”
To view photos from the day, click here. For a video recap of the day, click here.
Thank you to our amazing sponsors who helped us raise more than $83,000 in support of Hillsborough County Public Schools students and teachers! This day would not have been possible without our Presenting Sponsor, Batson-Cook, and all of our other incredible sponsors and partners.
