(SMYRNA, TN) Last Saturday (11/4/2023) was a perfect day at the Smyrna Golf Course for the Child Advocacy Center's 13th Annual Turkey Tee Off.  

Development Coordinator Karista Colwell said, “Thirty-one teams played 18 holes of golf.  It was the warmest day and the biggest turnout we’ve ever had for the event.” 

The fun at the Smyrna Golf Course started with a delicious breakfast sponsored by Chick-fil-A of Smyrna and Brass Horn Coffee Roasters.  Child Advocacy Center board member Terry Fann welcomed the golfers to the tournament, while Smyrna Town Manager Brian Hercules shared information about the Child Advocacy Center and the Child Protective Investigative Team. 

Child Advocacy Center director Sharon De Boer pulled the winning 50/50 raffle ticket and Matthew Wilkens, from the Altimate Controls Team, donated his winnings back to the Center.

Turkey Tee Off Committee member Chase Fann shared the tournament rules and Retired District Attorney General William C. Whitesell gave the opening prayer. 

The Slick Pig provided the delicious lunch for the 13th year.

While everyone was enjoying the meal, Child Advocacy Center accountant Jessica Wauchek announced the winners:   

• 1st place, The Very Idea team finished with a score of 57 with players Chris Ewing, Brian Goodwin, Billy Huynh, and Brandon Poss.
• Second place went to Altimate Controls, who donated their prize money to the Child Advocacy Center. Their team scored 58 with players Chris Wilkens, Matthew Wilkens, Patrick Wilkens Jr., and Patrick Wilkens Sr.  
• Donald Fletcher’s team came in 3rd with a score of 59 with players David Adams, Ed Hennessee, Mickey Hopskins, and John McNair.  Eric Rambo on the PATCO Team won the putting contest, making it in in just one shot.
• Kory Hickerson was the closest to the pin.
• Tim Walsh had the longest drive.  

“The Child Advocacy Center is grateful to all the sponsors and golfers who make this a successful event every year.  Your support helps keep crisis intervention services free of charge for child abuse victims and their families,” said Colwell.  The event sponsors included: Adient, Altimate Controls LLC., CRF Properties, Don Clayton, Terry Fann and Steve Waldron, Attorneys, Farrer Bros. Hardware & Rental Service, Kevin Hickerson, First Commerce Bank, Kenny Pipe & Supply, Middle Tennessee Electric, My Team Insurance Services LLC, Dr. Rebecca Oldham- MTSU, PATCO, Inc., Roger Patterson, Power Equipment Company, David Puckett, Sessions Paving, Vickie Sheridan, Smyrna Ready Mix, The Very Idea, Bill and Lucy Whitesell, and Yard Dog Fencing & Decks, LLC. 

The Child Advocacy Center works as a team with the Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office to respond to child abuse cases, investigate the crime, aggressively prosecute offenders, help children heal, and help families rebuild their shattered lives.  In the last 23 years, the Child Advocacy Center and the Child Protective Investigative Team have impacted the lives of 12% of the population of Rutherford and Cannon Counties by helping 44,676 people. 

The date for next year's Turkey Tee Off has been set for 8:00 o'clock Saturday morning, Nov. 2, 2024. If you have questions, contact Karista Colwell at (615) 867-9000 or email her at kcolwell@cacrutherford.org / cacrutherford.org/events