Golf Tournament Helps Children Reach Their Potential at RISE

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The RISE Tournament of Champions benefiting The University of Alabama’s RISE Center will be held April 26-27 at NorthRiver Yacht Club.

The tournament is a four-person scramble, handicaps required, with shotgun starts at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. both days. NorthRiver Yacht Club is located at 3100 Yacht Club Way NE in Tuscaloosa.

Registration for the golf tournament starts at $2,500 for a four-person team. Morning and afternoon prizes, which include a football national championship game helmet signed by UA Head Football Coach Nick Saban and University of Georgia Head Football Coach Kirby Smart, televisions, paddle boards, and more, will be awarded to the top four teams with the best gross and net scores. Golfers will also receive a gift upon check-in, and lunch will be provided by Hoo’s Q.

For more information, or to register, contact RISE at 205-348-7931.

The RISE Center, part of UA’s College of Human Environmental Sciences, serves children with disabilities and their typically developing peers, from ages 8 weeks to 5 years. The children are divided by age among six classes, each with 16 students, one teacher and three assistants.

The nationally recognized RISE program is dedicated to excellence in service, research and teaching. The preschool program not only benefits families in the community, but serves as a practicum and internship site for college students from UA and other colleges.

“The RISE Center is continually challenging itself to offer the best possible therapies in our inclusive early childhood and preschool educational setting,” said Andi Gillen, RISE director. “The golf tournament is our largest fundraiser and ensures we are able to meet this challenge. We remain committed to our policy that children receiving service attend our program at no cost to their family.”

The program costs about $19,000 per child each year. While it does receive funding from the University, an endowment and contracts with local schools systems, fundraisers like the golf tournament are crucial to the school’s success.

Saban and UA Head Men’s Basketball Coach Avery Johnson, along with other “champions,” will be on hand for the event.

In addition to the tournament, golfers and guests are invited to CHIP in for RISE from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on April 26 at the NorthRiver Yacht Club. The event, which is open to the public, includes a silent auction and light refreshments. Gene Stallings, former UA head football coach, will be the special guest.

The silent auction includes, among other items, a football national championship game helmet signed by Saban and Smart, Alabama memorabilia, artwork and vacation packages.

Tickets for CHIP in for RISE are $30 for individuals and $50 for couples and can be purchased at the door. Those registered for the golf tournament will receive one ticket to the event.