Betty Shirley Golf Tourney to Benefit UA’s CrossingPoints

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Betty Shirley Annual Golf Tournament benefiting CrossingPoints is set for Sept. 25 at Ol’ Colony Golf Course in Tuscaloosa.

The four-person scramble will feature The University of Alabama men’s golf coach Jay Seawell as an honorary chair. Seawell will play select holes with tournament participants. Entry fees are $600 per four-person team and include greens fees, cart, lunch and souvenirs. The individual entrance fee is $150.

All proceeds benefit CrossingPoints, a collaboration between UA’s special education and multiple abilities department and the Tuscaloosa city and county school systems that provides transition services for students between 18 and 21 with disabilities.

Proceeds from the tournament have helped fund student work stipends for the last 10 years. Students participating in CrossingPoints receive hands-on instruction in vocational/employment aspects of transition during their job placement in designed job sites at UA.

“The tournament is fundamental to the success of the program and our students,” said Amy Williamson, clinical instructor for CrossingPoints. “This stipend gives us the authentic opportunity to teach the students about working and getting a paycheck, as well as to work on money management skills, banking, etc.

“Additionally, this fundraiser also affords us with the funds to provide the most up-to-date technology education and instructional materials to help make our students most successful.”

Organizers are seeking business and individuals to sponsor holes for $150 per hole.

The tournament is named for longtime Tuscaloosa mental health advocate Betty Shirley, whose grandson, Walt, was a CrossingPoints student and who has worked at the UA Supe store for 10 years.