Mike and Sara Dent have done it again! They along with their family members and the staff at Wings Pizza N Things in Temple have broken the record for the largest donation ever made to CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties. The 2024 CASA Classic Golf Tournament, sponsored by the Dent family and Wings Pizza N Things raised $60,000 to support the work and programs that CASA provides to children in foster care in our two counties.

The event also broke records for the number of golfers, sponsors, and money raised in a single day in what has become one of the most prestigious events in Central Texas. Forty-seven golf teams (188 golfers) played golf on a beautiful Monday at Sammons Golf Course in Temple. The golf course was in pristine shape thanks to the efforts of their staff and direction of Stephen Drews at the course.  The event included a “ball drop” of 100 golf balls on a green prior to teeing off. The balls were sold with the “closest ball to the pin” winning a smoker donated by Sam’s Club in Temple.

Lunch was provided by Wings Pizza N Things as well as Sysco Foods and there were plenty of refreshments out on the course as well. Sponsors who provided games, entertainment, contests, and refreshments at various holes included – Monteith Abstract & Title, Top of the Line Striping – Pinnacle Paving, Jack Hilliard Distributing, Novaura, First United Bank, Dixon Golf, and Wings Pizza N Things.

Title Sponsors for the tournament this year were Wings Pizza N Things Restaurant, Garlyn Shelton Auto Group, First United Bank, Ludwick Montgomery & Stapp, Jack Hilliard, and Lone Star Concrete.

New additions for the 2024 event included golf towels for each golfer, polo shirts for the title sponsor teams, and CASA Classic t-shirts for more than 20volunteers who helped support the event all day long.

After golf concluded, golfers, family members, sponsors, and friends gathered for a private dinner party at the Wings Pizza N Things Restaurant in Temple that included golf awards, raffle, and auction. Team prizes were handed out for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and last place teams along with 3 random cash drawings for all teams entered.

During the dinner program, several CASA supporters spoke to the large crowd gathered and voiced their thanks to everyone for the critical financial help they were providing by participating in the event. State Representative Dr. Brad Buckley shared his sentiments for the work that CASA does for children and encouraged the large group to continue spending their money by participating in the raffles and auction events that night. State Representative Hugh Shine and his wife Debbie were also in attendance and Rep. Shine highlighted how important private support is for agencies like CASA and how thrilled they were to see so many people gathered to have fun and raise money for the services CASA provides.

CASA Board Member Clarence Enochs thanked the crowd on behalf of the Board of Directors and spoke of the joy he gets as a board member by donating and helping put on events such as these. Judge Cari Starritt-Burnett spoke about the help that CASA advocates provide for the children they serve and encouraged others to step up and become new volunteers. She mentioned how the foster care system is overwhelmed in our area and these children need support and someone to help them navigate challenges as they go through one of the most difficult life events anyone could ever imagine.

The dinner party event concluded with Mike and Sara Dent and WPT staff members holding the drawings for the raffle items, and 6 premium raffle items, plus a live auction. The dinner crowd was estimated to be more than 300 guests and everyone enjoyed the unlimited supply of pizza, wings, and beverages throughout the evening.

CASA is blessed to have the support of Mike and Sara Dent along with Wings Pizza N Things and the community. The Dent’s donated $60,000 to CASA from the proceeds of the golf tournament. This incredible support allows CASA to keep growing, adding staff members, and recruiting more volunteers – so we can serve more children in Bell and Coryell Counties. 100% of the golf tournament proceeds are used for direct services and support of the kids we serve and every penny is spent on children from right here in our two-county area.

CASA wishes to thank the Dent family, the staff of Wings Pizza N Things, and all the tournament sponsors and participants. The day could not have been successful without the volunteer help from CASA board members, advocates, and friends who served at the tournament and dinner events. In just four short years, this tournament has exceeded all expectations and achieved premier tournament status in Central Texas. It is providing the single largest fundraising impact for CASA that enables our office to serve more children in Bell and Coryell Counties.

THANK YOU!