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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Women's Golf Reaches Golf Fore Africa Fundraising Goal
5/14/2019 3:02:00 PM | Women's Golf
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Back in January, the Florida Atlantic University women's golf team took on the challenge of raising $15,000 to fund a well to provide clean drinking water in rural Zambia through the organization Golf Fore Africa. That challenge was met with enthusiasm and determination from the Owls and less than five months later, they have met their goal.
"I'm so incredibly proud of our team," said head coach Aimee Neff. "We wanted to be trailblazers with our efforts as one of the first collegiate teams to completely fund a well in rural Africa and I hope what we've accomplished can inspire others to make a difference. We are so thankful for every person that made a contribution. Your generosity truly made a difference."
The funds the Owls raised will provide clean water to a community of over 300 people for a lifetime. The Golf Fore Africa foundation was created by World Golf and LPGA Hall of Famer Betsy King. King was on the LPGA Tour for 28 years and upon retirement she founded Golf Fore Africa. King and the Owls linked up earlier this season at a Pro-Am Clinic hosted by King at Old Marsh Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens.
"(FAU) really did a great job in raising funds for clean water," said King. "Having them as part of our Golf Fore Africa Pro-Am Clinic this year at Old Marsh was really nice. I think it was a good experience for the girls and it was helpful for us. I think Aimee was the driving force behind (the fundraiser). She did a great job of reaching out and getting supporters of FAU to also support Golf Fore Africa."
On a trip to Africa, King noticed women and children walking miles to retrieve water and heard horror stories taking place on these walks. It was then she decided to do everything she could to make a difference.
"One of my biggest beliefs is that no matter what age you are, get involved with a cause that is larger than yourself to appreciate the opportunities you have and to know you can make a difference," said King.
The Owls took that to heart and came up with ways to raise the funds for the well. The team utilized their social media presence to ask friends and families to contribute. They sold bracelets, water bottles and hosted a fundraising spin class at Rise31 in Delray Beach. Some members used the opportunity to get to know the South Florida community better. Senior Meghan Bennett did just that by speaking at a local church.
"What we did is so big and life changing on a scale that we barely understand, it's just amazing," said Bennett. "Working on a project like this put all of our daily issues into perspective and allowed us to take a step back and just be very grateful for the things we have and take for granted like clean water."
Bennett knows that what she and the team accomplished will have a life-long lasting impact for the members of the community that will now receive the well, but that it also will have a lasting impact on themselves.
"I was talking to the team about the fundraiser one day late in the semester and I said when you look back at your college experience 30 years from now you're only going to remember a few things: your degree, the friends you make and the $15,000 the team raised to build a well in Zambia," said Bennett.
For complete coverage of FAU women's golf, follow along on Twitter (@FAUWGolf), Instagram (@FAUWomensGolf) and Facebook (FAU Women's Golf).
"I'm so incredibly proud of our team," said head coach Aimee Neff. "We wanted to be trailblazers with our efforts as one of the first collegiate teams to completely fund a well in rural Africa and I hope what we've accomplished can inspire others to make a difference. We are so thankful for every person that made a contribution. Your generosity truly made a difference."
The funds the Owls raised will provide clean water to a community of over 300 people for a lifetime. The Golf Fore Africa foundation was created by World Golf and LPGA Hall of Famer Betsy King. King was on the LPGA Tour for 28 years and upon retirement she founded Golf Fore Africa. King and the Owls linked up earlier this season at a Pro-Am Clinic hosted by King at Old Marsh Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens.
"(FAU) really did a great job in raising funds for clean water," said King. "Having them as part of our Golf Fore Africa Pro-Am Clinic this year at Old Marsh was really nice. I think it was a good experience for the girls and it was helpful for us. I think Aimee was the driving force behind (the fundraiser). She did a great job of reaching out and getting supporters of FAU to also support Golf Fore Africa."
On a trip to Africa, King noticed women and children walking miles to retrieve water and heard horror stories taking place on these walks. It was then she decided to do everything she could to make a difference.
"One of my biggest beliefs is that no matter what age you are, get involved with a cause that is larger than yourself to appreciate the opportunities you have and to know you can make a difference," said King.
The Owls took that to heart and came up with ways to raise the funds for the well. The team utilized their social media presence to ask friends and families to contribute. They sold bracelets, water bottles and hosted a fundraising spin class at Rise31 in Delray Beach. Some members used the opportunity to get to know the South Florida community better. Senior Meghan Bennett did just that by speaking at a local church.
"What we did is so big and life changing on a scale that we barely understand, it's just amazing," said Bennett. "Working on a project like this put all of our daily issues into perspective and allowed us to take a step back and just be very grateful for the things we have and take for granted like clean water."
Bennett knows that what she and the team accomplished will have a life-long lasting impact for the members of the community that will now receive the well, but that it also will have a lasting impact on themselves.
"I was talking to the team about the fundraiser one day late in the semester and I said when you look back at your college experience 30 years from now you're only going to remember a few things: your degree, the friends you make and the $15,000 the team raised to build a well in Zambia," said Bennett.
For complete coverage of FAU women's golf, follow along on Twitter (@FAUWGolf), Instagram (@FAUWomensGolf) and Facebook (FAU Women's Golf).
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