Golf Benefit Raises Record Funds
for Krause Children's Center
June 20, 2005

Katy, Texas - A record $94,332 was raised by 115 golfers who played in the 16th annual Thrivent Financial for Lutherans "Tomorrow's Child Golf Benefit" for the Krause Children's Center in Katy, Texas. That figure tops the $62,492 raised last year. The popular golf tournament was held on Monday, June 20, 2005 at Weston Lakes Country Club in Fulshear, Texas.

The Krause Children's Center provides residential care and treatment for 60 abused, neglected and emotionally disturbed children cared for by Lutheran Social Services of the South. Proceeds of the golf benefit will support the "Expanding Horizons" program that includes Arts in Education, the Krause volunteer program, mentoring, spiritual care, the children's activity/outing fund, award jackets, birthday and special celebrations.

Krause Center Volunteer Coordinator Diane Covert and several Krause kids presented a special piece of art they created to Tournament Director Bernard Scrogin who is retiring after 19 years with Lutheran Social Services of the South.

It was presented by a resident saying, "People like him make us feel loved and make us feel that our existence does matter. He has given to us from his heart and now all the children at the Krause Center have given him a part of theirs."

State Representative Glenn Hegar from Texas House District 28 served as Honorary Chairman of this year's tournament, noting that the golf benefit has now raised more than $465,000 over the past 16 years for various children's ministries within LSS.

The Tomorrow's Child tournament is unique because golfers do not "pay to play." Instead each golfer collects at least $250 in pledges or donations for the Krause Children's Center from their family, friends and co-workers. Fred Heidt from Memorial Lutheran - Katy collected a record $26,265 in pledges and sponsorships to win a golf weekend at Tapatio Springs Golf Resort in Boerne. Bob Fox captained three teams from Kinsmen Lutheran that collected $6,463 while Bernard Scrogin of LSS collected $6,415 for the kids at Krause.

Four more Lutheran churches collected pledges and donations exceeding the minimum $1,000 per team requirement: two teams from Lakeside raised $3,605 in pledges and matching funds, three teams from Living Word obtained $3,470, one team at Holy Cross Lutheran raised $2,595, and two teams from St. Mark collected $2,406 for the children's charity.

The Texas Region of Thrivent Financial Services for Lutherans was Title Sponsor for the 2005 tournament. Thrivent's General Agent Marvin Allensworth presented a check for $15,000 to Phillipa Ashford, Executive Director of the Krause Children's Center.

A record number of 60 sponsors donated $35,550 in funds or prizes for this year's golf benefit, including Park Place Lutheran Church (Bronze Sponsor), Blue Bell Creameries (Diamond Sponsor), plus Absolutely Katy, Crown Trophy & Awards, Don McGill Toyota of Katy, Greater Katy Exchange Club, Holiday World of Houston, New England Financial, Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital, Prudential Gary Greene Realtors of Katy, Robinson Benefits Limited, and Wilbros USA, Inc. Hasta La Pasta and Coldstone Creamery catered the awards luncheon for the golfers and guests. Tomball Ford and Tradition Bank provided the hole-in-one prizes and Houston Coca-Cola donated the soft drinks and bottled water.

The Kinsmen Lutheran team (John Boldt, Don Hudson, Shelby Lowe, and Gary Simpson) shot a 54.1 to win the First Place Low Net title. The Coldstone Creamery and Tradition Bank team (Ben Nguyen, George Purvis, Len Tierney, and Downy Vickery) shot a 58 to earn First Place Low Gross honors. Second Place Low Net was won by the KatyARTreach Team #3 (David Ellis, Melanie Ellis, Ricardo Roque, and Walt Sass) which shot a 54.7, while the Curtis Steel team (Mike Boriack, Tom Boriack, J.R. Flynt, and Roy Hillenburg) shot a 55.6 for Third Place Low Net. The winning golf teams received free rounds of golf at The Club at Falcon Point, The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch, or Lake Windcrest Golf Course.

A two-man team from State Farm Insurance (Ken Gerner and Jim Lindemann) shot a 63.0 for the Highest Score Low Net, winning a consolation prize package that included 4000 used golf balls, dinner for four at Wings 'N Things, and four box seats at the Sam Houston Race Park.

Larry Urban from the Holy Cross team won the Men's Putting Contest for the second year in a row, while Casey Jordan from the Thrivent #2 team won the Women's Putting Contest this year.