Tom Glavine, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and former Atlanta Braves pitcher; Chris Glavine, wife of Tom Glavine; and the Seaside School Foundation, Inc. teamed up to host an inaugural golf tournament which raised $90,000 benefiting the Seaside School Foundation. The day-long golf tournament took place on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at Watersound Club’s Shark’s Tooth Golf Course in Panama City Beach.
The first-year tournament attracted 144 golfers and many corporate and local business sponsors.
The funds will directly benefit the Seaside School, Inc., Florida’s oldest continuously operated public charter school and recently ranked #3 combination school in the State of Florida.
“As new full-time residents of the area, we wanted to get more involved in our community. My field of dreams golf tournament benefiting the Seaside School was a great first step. We were humbled by the overwhelming support our community showed. We look forward to growing this event in the years to come,” said Tom Glavine. “Local public schools make such a positive difference in our community and my family feels passionately about giving back to educational efforts that directly support youth.”
Patrick Richardson, Head of Golf for Watersound Club’s Shark’s Tooth, Ben Bricken, Tom Glavine.
Of the 36 teams four-person teams that teed-off, the winners of the tournament were first net score winners: Suzy Stanley, Brian Widman, Bill Widman, and Jim Babb with Porth & Associates and first gross score winners: Lee Johnson, Ben Edwards, Cory Fosdyck, and Adam York with Cory Fosdyck | Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
This event is made possible by the generosity of its participants, but especially the contributions of title sponsors The St. Joe Community Foundation, Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty, and Coastal Ridge Real Estate. Additionally, Pickles Burgers and Shakes, located in Seaside, donated a delicious hamburger lunch to all golfers and volunteers. Gulf Coast Turf hosted a unique putting contest offering $10,000 to anyone who could successfully make a 10-foot putt, 30-foot putt, and 50-foot putt. Doug Martin, the Northwest Florida State College baseball coach, was successful at nailing the first two attempts.
Students at Seaside School help kick off the Tom Glavine’s Field of Dreams Golf Tournament. (L to R) Gavin Phillips, Kienan Glavine (youngest son of Tom and Chris Glavine), Victoria Nguyen, Lauren Baugh, Joy Robbins.
“We are incredibly grateful for our sponsors of all levels and players who made this event possible and whose generous contributions helped shatter all expectations for a first-year event,” said Teresa Horton, executive director of the Seaside School Foundation, Inc. “Our special school is incredibly fortunate to have dedicated supporters like the Glavine family.”
After the tournament, players attended a reception held in the course’s clubhouse featuring a silent and live auction that showcased sports memorabilia. Signed balls and jerseys provided by the Atlanta Braves Foundation were hot-ticket items. The live auction featured four tickets to an upcoming Atlanta Braves game, a hotel stay, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the new Braves’ stadium which went for close to $10,000.
