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We would like to introduce you to the River Cup Foundation, a central Illinois organization dedicated to the game of golf and its future.
The River Cup Foundation is an outgrowth of the River Cup competition, a Ryder Cup style format showcasing the areas top amateur golfers. First played in 1993, the players developed the idea of forming a foundation to not only showcase the competitions but to also support charitable activities in the community.
The Foundation is a federally and state approved 501 (c)3 not for profit corporation, whose mission statement is to benefit youth and worthy charities in the tri-county area through the game of golf. We also provide college scholarships to central Illinois residents, promote golf competitions and serve the game by sponsoring an annual youth golf clinic and increasing awareness of important issues facing the game through our annual benefit dinner. This is accomplished with an all volunteer Board of Directors and no paid staff.
We hope to continue our philanthropic endeavors for the care and welfare of children with special needs thru the game of golf for a long time: GOLF AND GIVING GO WELL TOGETHER!
MAY 19, 2020 STATEMENT
We regret, after much deliberation, conversation and negotiation to announce the River Cup Foundation Board of Directors has decided to move the date of our Men and Senior Men’s Tournament to August 1 and 2. This date will coincide with our Junior Championship. We are cautiously optimistic about this change and realistic that current policies will have to evolve.
We are hopeful that postponing our Men’s and Senior Men’s Championship will offer us the opportunity to mitigate health and safety issues while providing us with the best opportunity to conduct our championships in the manner we have been accustomed. The traditions of comradery, great sportsmanship and the coming together of old friends and competitors would just not be the same in early June. We are extremely grateful to the Pekin Park District and in particular our colleagues at Lick Creek for their flexibility, support and confidence in our mission.
While we understand the consolidation of the local golf schedule will present challenges, we do not feel that the current environment allows us to conduct the Men and Senior Championships in early June. Certainly, the implications and logistical challenges of the postponement are many. However, we believe the potential opportunity to conduct all three of our championships in the same weekend will provide a unique opportunity to see all of Central Illinois’ premier golfers in one weekend. The River Cup Foundation Board of Directors is looking forward to this opportunity in August.
We will continue to follow the guidance of public health officials, local, state and federal guidelines in regard to the Covid epidemic. The safety of all our players, friends, officials, partners and sponsors is our top priority. While it goes without saying, this is an incredibly fluid and dynamic situation and one we will continue to monitor throughout the summer. We have been and remain committed to being responsible, thoughtful and transparent in our process. We have engaged many people for their advice and opinions. This is a difficult situation to say the least, one with consequences that impact our communities, many ethical and societal considerations and frankly no good solution balancing people’s apprehension and enthusiasm for normality.
We choose not to be cavalier now, but remain faithful to our mission of protecting, planning and promoting the game of golf. We have a great deal of pride in our interests and we believe our bona fides speaks for itself. This darkness will go away and we will be ready for great Championship Team Golf!
Finally, we would like to thank our Board, Captains, Players, Sponsors and Friends for their time and thoughts throughout this challenging process.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
We are pleased to announce our FORE GOLF GRANT AWARDS for 2020:
Pekin Park District Junior Golf Program $1,000
Elmwood HS Boys & Girls Golf Team $850
Peoria Notre Dame Junior Golf Program $850
Concordia Luthern Junior Golf Program $800
Richwoods HS Golf Team $600
Brimfield HS Golf Team $500
Midwest Central HS Golf Team $400
Total $5000
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS
Each received $1,000
Tyler Schmidt
Dunlap High School
Will attend University of Missouri
Kate Henkel
El Paso Gridley High School
Will attend Illinois Central College
Jenna Martin
Pekin Community High School
Will attend Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Our 2020 Championships will be held at Lick Creek GC in Pekin
May 3 AJGA/D.A. Points Qualifier-EVENT IS CANCELED
May 22 Charity Outing
EVENT has been POST PONED. PLEASE CHECK BACK WITH US ON A POSSIBLE NEW DATE
June 13/14 Men & Senior Championship Postponed to August 1/2
July 30 Junior Practice Round, Pairings Party and Scholarship awards
August 1/2 Junior Championship
October 1 Charitable Donation Awards
TBA
Benefit Dinner
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