Despite a challenging season of COVID-19, the Ag World Golf Classic was able to continue its tradition of giving to the Ronald McDonald House. This year, amid masks and extra hand sanitizer, area agriculture producers, processors and industry businesses gathered to raise over $91,000 to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities Inland Northwest (RMHC) and to honor the legacy of the Ag World Golf Classic founder Warren Henninger, who passed away earlier this year.
The Golf Classic’s goal is to reach $100,000 this year for RMHC and to honor Warren. It’s not too late to help reach this goal by donating whatever you are able to contribute at www.agworldgolf.com.
The charity golf tournament took place Aug. 13 at the Links at Moses Pointe in Moses Lake, Wash. Originally scheduled to be held in June with two locations—one in Kennewick and one in Moses Lake. Both events had to be rescheduled to August, with the Kennewick course ultimately canceling due to COVID-19.
“We knew if we could hold the event we wanted to find a way to do it safely and still be able to raise funds for the House and honor Dad’s legacy,” says Melanie Finch, Warren’s daughter and Ag World senior manager.
This first year of holding the event in Moses Lake was a great success. Through the generosity of the 75 sponsors and donors and 145 golfers, it was another incredible year of giving to RMHC.
Not only did the Golf Classic generously raise funds, it was also a special year in honoring Warren Henninger, who passed away in May.
“Dad cast a big shadow and impacted many people during his life,” says Bryan Henninger, Warren’s son and president of Ag World. “We are blessed to carry on his legacy through the Ag World Golf Classic. Dad’s definitely smiling down from heaven.”
Many wonderful memories were shared of Warren as golfers had a chance to remember him together with the Ag World team and the Henninger family. The Ag World Golf Classic was born out of a vision Warren had to support families whose children are experiencing a medical crisis and need a place to stay while their child receives care.
The Ag World Golf Classic has donated more than $425,000 over the past six years to the RMHC. This tournament is part of Ag World Support Systems’ campaign to make a difference in the community by supporting RMHC’s mission to strengthen local families and promote children’s health.
The tournament format changed this year due to COVID-19; instead of a shotgun start, there were rolling tee times throughout the day to ensure the health and safety of everyone. It was the same as in years past with an 18-hole scramble that included pre-packaged snacks, drinks and giveaways along the course, as well as a box lunch, all generously provided by hole hosts: Capital Press, Meritech, Ronald McDonald House Charities Inland Northwest and Suberizer.
To help encourage golfers to give, the Ag World Golf Classic had an online auction again this year. It was a great success, with prizes ranging from a night at the Coeur d’Alene Resort with rounds of golf to StorOx 2.0 potato sprout inhibitor for growers. Donations came from the Coeur d’Alene Resort, The Grand Hotel, Bud Clary Ford/Honda of Moses Lake and Agri-Stor Northwest.
“Throughout the past 30 years, Ag World Golf Classic is the most significant community fundraiser we have ever seen,” says Mike Forness, executive director of RMHC in Spokane, Wash. “On behalf of the families and children that stay at the Ronald McDonald House, we say, ‘Thank you, Ag World!’ We see your families’ values, work values and church values as major reasons this fundraiser is so successful.”
The excitement of the tournament’s success still lingers in the minds of those who worked tirelessly to see this event happen.
“God blessed the tournament again this year with amazing weather, attendance and generous participation,” says Judy Henninger, Warren’s wife, Ag World administrative executive and co-founder of the Ag World Golf Classic. “We are thankful for our hosts, sponsors, donors, many golfers and supporters who made this event such a huge success. Ag World is honored to support this worthy cause.”
Next year’s events are set for June 8, 2021, at Canyon Lakes Golf Course, in Kennewick, and June 10, 2021, at the Links at Moses Pointe. Mark your calendars and join Ag World Support Systems at one or both locations. To donate or to learn more, visit www.agworldgolf.com.