Golfing for a Cause

Dozens of South Florida golfers teed off Saturday morning to support a worthy cause -- the Florida United Methodist Children's Home.

I took part -- as a celebrity golfer (or in my case, hacker) -- along with other notables such as former Florida Panther Bill Lindsay and South Florida broadcaster Dave Lamont, among others.

The golf was great at Woodmont Country Club in Tamarac and the satisfaction of helping children who have suffered and struggled through difficult days was even greater. Mearle Griffith, with the Florida United Methodist Children's Home, said the event is a big one for their organization. Last year's event raised $47,000 for the home, he said.

"We can provide extraordinary care and service based on the children's individual needs and is beyond what is available through family and government resources," Griffith told me.

Griffith said the home, which was opened in Enterprise, Florida in 1908, serves about 100 children at a time. Many of them come from a wide range of circumstances -- including sexual, physical and emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment and broken and dysfunctional families.

Griffith said in the past few weeks 17 children have entered the home because one of their parents is accused of killing the other parent. The home houses children from ages 5 to 23.

The organization also has 160 children in foster care across the state. Griffith touted their ability to place children with adoptive parents and keep them there. He told me they have a 94% success rate and where the state lacks resources, they do not.

"We spend three times as much as the state pays," Griffith said.

The 25th annual golf tournament was organized by members of the New Horizon Methodist Church in Southwest Ranches. Here's a photo of my foursome -- that's me on the far left.

Next to me are Stephen Whitney, his son, Jeff, and Barry Stamp. We're all members of the New Horizon Church.

Here's an idea of how we played -- we were voted "Most Honest." I think that's code for "Worst."

But even if our shots were errant, our goal was straightforward -- help children who've been dealt a difficult hand. If you'd like to read more about the Children's Home, CLICK HERE