United Way Classic returns to Fort Smith

The sixth annual United Way Classic returned to Fort Smith on May 5. This year, the organization has partnered with the ANNIKA Women’s All-Pro Tour.

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Well, the United Way Classic is back in Fort Smith this year. It’s bringing elite female golfers from around the world to hardscrabble Country Club. Five News reporter Morgan Wrigley is joining us live this morning with a look at how the tournament is making an impact both on and off the course. Good morning, Morgan. Good morning, Tiffany. It’s been a beautiful start to the day here at the Country Club. The pro a starts this morning, and then tomorrow we’ll have the pro play starting, but I’m here right now with Shay Foldberry, United Way president and CEO of Fort Smith area. So we’ve been talking all morning about how not only are there some amazing athletes here, this all supports a great cause. — So can you tell us about that
— cause? Yeah, so this is actually our 6th annual. It’s hard to believe we’ve already done 6 years of this, but this is in partnership with the Women’s All-Pro Tour. For us, it raises money for our partner agencies here in our six county community. So, you know, it’s amazing to think about this, but in the 1st 5 years alone we’ve actually raised $418,000 and this year we’re just gonna add to that total. So that impact really does help our community. Awesome. And tell us about some of like the types of organizations that are benefiting from these funds. Yeah, so when you look at Project Compassion works with seniors, when you look at the Boys and Girls Club, there’s so many different organizations that we support here locally and then their impact with the dollar. That we’re able to give them and generate from this tournament. So again, as you mentioned, this is our pro-am day and then as we move forward into the week is when the WAPTTs off for their three rounds. — So
— 6th year of this, but first year with the women. So how is that different this year? It’s amazing. So you know, we had about 150 men the last several years, and this year we have 100 ladies that are coming out and uh we’re excited for the change. It’s just a good opportunity for the community to come out and see something different than that we can offer. Awesome. What’s your favorite part of the day? You know, I think for me it’s just interacting with all the players and of course our local individuals that’ll be out today for the pro-am. Awesome. Well, thank you so much, Shay. And again, that pro-am starts this morning 7:30 and then tomorrow morning Pro play will start here at Hardscrabble at 8 and 5 News. We’re going to continue covering it throughout the day, but for now, Tiffany, back to you.