The history of this Golf Tournament began with four Texas Lions (Lions Mike Butler, Marshall Cooper, Bruce Rickert and Harry Wickersham) coming to the Annual Board meeting of Texas Lions Camp (TLC) in Kerrville to enjoy fellowship with each other. They all loved to play golf and so what began on a $10 per person gentlemen’s donation at the Flying L Ranch Golf Course in Bandera, Texas, has grown into a major FUNdraising event which generates more than $100,000 annually for children with special medical conditions. Other Lions heard about the golf outing and dozens joined in to play in subsequent years including Lion Ed Stebbins who was recruited to help organize the event into an annual fund-raising opportunity. He made the original presentation to the TLC Board of Directors to make the Golf Tournament an annual fund-raising event as well as recommended that the event be named in honor of Lion Harry Wickersham (who was the real golfer in the original foursome). In addition, he recruited Lion Lester Frantzen and the Fredericksburg Lions Club to help organize and operate the tournament each year.
The Wickersham Tournament now has its own Facebook page! Please join us on line for announcements, current events and information.
So How are we doing?
To date, with your help and that of James Avery Artisan Jewelers, we have raised, well, see the table below or click here to see for yourself. The goal that has been set for each district is $6,250, which can be raised through hole sponsorships or direct, charitable donations. Please take a look and see how your district compares to their goal and in constrast to others.
If the table below does not immediately appear, click here.
Our goal for 2024 is $200,000.
Invite your friends
The last thing we want to be is a well kept secret. Click here, grab the link and share the presentation with your District, Club, friends, social media and invite others to get involved. It is not too late to sponsor a hole for $100. All proceeds will benefit the operations of TLC and make programs such as family camp a continued reality.
James Avery Artisan Jewelry® has issued a $50,000 challenge grant to Texas Lions Camp in support of the 29th Annual Harry Wickersham Golf Tournament to be held on August 1, 2024 at Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course in Fredericksburg. Every gift designated for the event will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000. With this challenge, James Avery Artisan Jewelry® has once again been named the Title Sponsor for the 2024 tournament.
“Texas Lions Camp is honored that James Avery Artisan Jewelry® has again elected to join TLC in our mission by offering this challenge and Title Sponsorship of the Wickersham Tourney," said President & CEO of TLC, Stephen S. Mabry.
Mabry added, “For 70 years, the Lions of Texas and TLC have introduced over 83,000 children to the ‘CAN DO’ philosophy and encouraged them to reach for new horizons and celebrate exciting, first-time experiences. Corporate sponsorships with special friends allow us to help some of the most amazing children share in the best summers of their lives.”
James Avery’s Chief Executive Officer John McCullough stated, “Just as we forge silver and gold to make jewelry, we are FORGING HOPE through our support of nonprofit organizations in communities where we live and work. We are proud to partner with the Texas Lions Camp in their mission to provide a unique summer camp experience for these amazing children and their families.
For more information, visit JamesAvery.com or facebook.com/JamesAvery.