City of Chandler Recreation

Chandler Golf Challenge - 14 Years of Inspiration and Participation

By Lysa Fitzhugh

This fall marks the 14th annual Chandler Golf Challenge, and play is scheduled for next Friday, November 5 at 12:30 p.m. at Bear Creek Golf Complex, located at 500 East Riggs road.

But it’s not just another friendly round of golf, it’s a special tournament that raises funds to support programs benefiting local residents with physical and developmental disabilities. With assistance from the funds raised each year, the City of Chandler’s Recreation Division and the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, a community advocacy group, many individuals are able to participate in athletic competitions such as the Special Olympics. One such local athlete is Corey Hammond.

Early in life, Corey expressed an interest in sports. Unable to participate in mainstream competition, his mother, Candace Hammond, got him involved in local activities with the intent of competing in the Special Olympics. At eight years of age, he started training for competition with an emphasis on bowling and basketball. Now 23, Corey continues to compete and his family still plays in the annual golf tournament, which was developed to help raise funds for him and others like him.

Candace recognized that her son and many other local athletes with disabilities were in need of funds to support their dreams, so she helped launch the first Chandler Golf Challenge in 1996. Still going strong today, golfers of all abilities participate for trophies as well as camaraderie. “There are a lot of repeat attendees at the tournament every year,” Hammond said, “so it’s always a lot of fun for everyone involved.”

New golfers join in every year to make this event even more successful and funds continue to support athletes who are disabled as well as those who seek educational scholarships and employment assistance. Without the aid of these funds, many citizens with disabilities may go without some of the support more easily afforded to their non-disabled neighbors.

While the city organizes the Chandler Golf Challenge, the event has many sponsors and continues to welcome more each fall. Various support levels are currently available from title sponsorship for companies who would like to help promote the event with broadcast or print publicity, to medal (gold, silver, bronze) sponsorships for companies or individuals who will have an established presence throughout the tournament. Range balls are provided as well as a two-person riding cart, greens fees, prize holes, raffle prizes and a silent auction.

Foursome teams and individuals can register for the tournament by calling 480-782-2709 or downloading the brochure at www.chandleraz.gov/therapeutic.

Winter Registration Starts Nov. 6
The winter Break Time magazine is available at Chandler Recreation facilities, libraries, Fry's Stores and at www.chandleraz.gov/breaktime. Registration starts next Saturday, Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. for all-ages classes in December, January and February (non-resident registration begins Friday, Nov. 12). For more information, call 480-782-2727.

Sonoran Sunset Series
The Environmental Education Center hosts its Sonoran Sunset Series outdoor entertainment on Thursday, Nov. 10 (Cowboy Ted - singer and storyteller) and Dec. 9 (holiday music and luminaries around the Veterans Oasis Park lake). For more information, call 480-782-2890 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/veterans-oasis.

EEC Hosts Urban Fishing Clinic
Join the Environmental Education Center for its annual urban fishing clinic at Veterans Oasis Park (northeast corner of Lindsay and Chandler Heights roads) on Saturday, November 13 from 8 a.m.-noon. It is free to attend and sport fishing instructors from the AZ Game and Fish Department will provide a limited supply of bait and loaner rods. Participants who register at the AZGFD booth during the event may fish without a license during clinic hours. For more information, call 480-782-2890 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/veterans-oasis.

Chandler Museum Presents Chuck Wagon Cook-Off
On Saturday, November 13 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., the Chandler Museum presents its first Chuck Wagon Cook-Off family event at Tumbleweed Ranch at the southeast corner of Tumbleweed Park. There is free admission and parking with some fees for hay and horse rides and food and beverages. Authentic, old fashioned chuck wagon teams from across the west will bring their tasty grub to this new event which also features music, a petting zoo, historic home tours and hands-on activities for kids. For more information visit www.chandleraz.gov/chuckwagon.

Woofstock Returns To Tumbleweed Park
Bring your family and four-legged friends to the third annual Woofstock event at Tumbleweed Park (2250 S. McQueen road) on Saturday, November 20 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. This free event features a charity dog walk, a concert, demonstrations, pet costume parade, a raffle, vendor booths and other fun outdoor activities. Visit www.chandleraz.gov/woofstock for more information.

TRC Toddler Activities
Tumbleweed Recreation Center (TRC) will host its popular fall parent and toddler drop-in activities “Bubble Blast” and “Bikes, Bounce & Boogie” from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10 and Nov. 24. There is a $2 fee ($3 non-resident) per child. Call 480-782-2900 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed for more information.

New “Come Out & Play Chandler!” Starts Nov. 5
Check out the winter "Come Out & Play Chandler!” show on Channel 11 featuring the "Top 10 Highlights of 2010". You can also view it along with past episodes http://www.chandleraz.gov/on the Chandler Recreation YouTube Channel.

Stay Connected!
To stay informed, follow us on Twitter (@ChandlerRec) and Facebook Fan Pages (Chandler Recreation). You can also sign up for the monthly e-newsletter at www.chandleraz.gov/listserv.html.


Lysa Fitzhugh is a member of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities.