Junior golfers teamed with senior golfers to deliver a learning experience for all involved during the season-ending “Fore the Kids Golf Tournament” Sunday at Great Bend’s Stoneridge Country Club.  

Stoneridge developed the tournament four years ago to introduce children to the game of golf and give back to community youth. The benefit tournament pairs a junior golfer with a senior golfer.  

Great Bend High School sophomore Ashlyn Harbaugh served as project manager and Barton Cougar sophomore Andrew Erb worked as operations manager.  Club staff assisted and employees provided golf course maintenance and tournament operations. Travis McAtee, Great Bend Panther golf coach, scored and officiated the tournament.

“We’re pleased to see a variety of teammates every year — grandparents, parents, club members, school system volunteers and local business volunteers — who pair up with the juniors to golf,” said Angela Sycz, Stoneridge operations president. “It’s truly a learning experience for the junior employees,” Sycz said. “The tournament exposes the junior staff to social responsibility and gives them real experience while building practical skills such as project management, communications, budgeting, marketing, organization and planning. The effort these kids puts into making the tournament a success is admirable.”

Sycz sponsors the Stoneridge junior staff to operate the tournament. Proceeds helps purchase equipment for the high school programs in addition to discounted golf lessons and golf camp for children.

“Golf is a highly social game with many benefits,” said Sycz. “Golf builds character and teaches good sportsmanship, self discipline, perseverance and respect. Golf is a low-impact, lifetime sport that anyone can play.”