Golf outing will help fund MRDD activities

$9,000 from last year’s event let area residents enjoy travel opportunities.

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer 1:12 AM Saturday, September 26, 2009

The Even the Score Golf Outing is back in swing this year, and event organizers hope it will raise lots of dough for those with developmental disabilities.

The outing is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 28 at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown. Registration is 10 a.m. Monday; cost is $100 per person or $25 for just dinner.

Last year’s event raised $9,000, which was used to organize and supervise recreational activities for Butler County Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities clients.

Without this event, “a lot of individuals would not get to do anything, because they just don’t have the budget,” said Ross Twp. resident Jean Sparks, whose son Duane, 41, is developmentally disabled.

Duane Sparks has used the money to help pay for trips to Nashville, Gatlinburg and a bat factory in Louisville — all through a group of people with disabilities called the Friendship Club.

“He’s gotten to meet a lot of people because of his traveling that he wouldn’t normally get to meet and see a lot of places he wouldn’t get to see,” Jean Sparks said, adding it gives him “independence” and “pride.”

Before the golf outing, Duane will take part in a putt and chip contest featuring local Special Olympians starting at 10:30 a.m. This will be followed by a shotgun start to the golfing event at 12:30 p.m.

The local nonprofit Arc of Butler County is sponsoring the event.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or jsweigart@coxohio.com.