Subway Kids & Sportsâ„¢ of Arizona Golf Tournament raises $30,000 for local youth sports programs

by Alison Bailin Batz

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The 11th Annual Subway Kids & Sports™ of Arizona Golf Tournament presented by Coca-Cola, which was held at the Sheraton’s Wild Horse Pass Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, proved to be another huge hit as it raised $30,000 to help fund non-profit, sports-focused youth programs across Arizona.

By just one stroke, the Shamrock Foods-sponsored foursome of Tim Kelly, Dave Cooper, Shane Jones and Corey Conkright won the tournament, which included a day of golf at Whirlwind, a sponsor golf outing, silent and live auctions and a gala dinner.

“Our great success would not have been possible without the golfers, auction participants and generous sponsors including Coca-ColaÒ, Frito-Lay, Shamrock Farms, Dr. Pepper, Southwest Baking and many more,” said Mark Roden, executive director of Subway Kids & Sports. “We can’t wait to work even harder next year.”

Throughout the fall, Subway Kids & Sports of Arizona accepted grant applications from sports and youth-focused programs statewide. The funds raised from the tournament will go to applicants based on need. The full list of recipients will be announced in early 2011.

Organizations that have benefitted from Subway Kids & Sports in recent years include: Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation, Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped (ARCH) , Arizona Thunder Girls Basketball, Athletes International, Boys & Girls Club of Scottsdale, Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix, Chavez Boxing Foundation, Estrella Youth Sports, Gene Lewis Boxing Club, Girls on the Run of Maricopa County, Glendale Family Development Center, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled, Save the Family Foundation of Arizona, Special Olympics of Arizona and many more.

Developed in 1999 by local Subway® franchisees, Subway Kids & Sports of Arizona is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing sports equipment, uniforms, registration fees and access to major sporting events for kids who might not otherwise have that opportunity. Since its inception, Subway Kids & Sports of Arizona has touched the lives of more than 20,000 children.

Photos by Alison Bailin Batz