Tim Tebow Celebrity Golf Classic - 2013

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

On the afternoon of Thursday, April 4, 2013, just after 5:40 p.m. I sat down at the computer to check my emails just one more time before the end of the day.  It was the week of Prom 2013 for Coffee High School and I was exhausted. The week had been crazy and wide open and was beginning to slow down a little bit. I plopped myself down on the stool behind the counter and spun around to log on to the computer. I decided to check my emails just in case there was a last minute emergency I needed to see about. There at the top of the email inbox was the most recent message, which happened to be from the “Tim Tebow Foundation”.  I will say, at first I thought it was just another newsletter from the foundation. I enjoy reading the newsletters and to see positive things going on in life. I proceeded to read it like I always do.

Well then I read the line "At this time, we are able to still accommodate 50 additional volunteers to serve as our hospitality greeters for the event. If you are interested in volunteering, please respond via email. Positions will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis."

I knew he had the annual foundation’s “Celebrity Golf Classic” coming up in the near future and I had contemplated going to volunteer. With the event being so close to prom, I was unsure of being able to leave the shop for the whole day. He hosts “The Celebrity Golf Classic” which is held in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, just outside of Jacksonville. The golf course has been in the headlines since Tiger Woods just won a recent tournament at The Player’s Championship Saw Grass Golf Course. It is a beautiful golf course to say the very least.  

It had been a while since I had a true full day off from work and time off was very much needed. I will be the first one to say, I was overdue of a break. Let’s see, a mini-day vacation which could entail me to help a foundation who has a mission to help kids? As I sat on the stool behind my counter, I leaned back to be in ear and eye shot of Mom and said “So, you think I can have next Saturday off to go and volunteer with the Tim Tebow Foundation at a golf tournament just outside of Jacksonville?” I think I was stating more that I was going than I was asking! She looked at me and said “Sure, why not!”

There was that “first 50 people to respond” factor. You had to be one of the first fifty people to respond to be considered for the volunteer position. I mean, it won’t hurt to try. The worst they could tell me is “no, all positions have been filled at this time.”

I began checking my email about every hour over the course of two days. Finally, I got the response I was hoping for. I was chosen to work in the hospitality area of the event. The only thing required was to represent the Tim Tebow Foundation by being a smiling presence amongst the crowd of event attendees. This seemed to be a little too easy. I love to be around people so this role was perfect.

The trip...

As soon as the work day was completed on the Friday before the event, I was headed out to spend the night in Jacksonville. Got to the hotel and checked in. To be honest, it was very hard to go to sleep because of the excitement I knew would be surrounding the day. Of course, five o’clock in the morning came very early.

I arrived at the golf course at 7:30 a.m. and registered to fulfill my job title for the day. At the volunteer tent, I met Haley who works with the Foundation. We didn’t have a specific area we had to be stationed at throughout the day. Just walk around and greet people. Answer any questions they may have.

It is not about the celebrity status surrounding the event. It is not about who I might meet. It is all about the ability to help serve an organization that is reaching out to help bring change to the life of a child who is in need. That is my purpose. When I go to volunteer at various events, I treat it as if it were a real job. Guess that is the business owner inside of me coming out. I don't use my badge or my job to get me outside of what I am there to work for. I look at the event as if I were an employee and I am there to get a job done. I am usually the one taking pictures every chance I get.

My favorite thing to do is I love to people watch. You learn things during those observations and you can take those lessons with you. I can tell you in detail 90% of what happened that day from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.. Two observations I made during the day are the ones which made the biggest impact.

At the last hole, I did get to meet Jason Michael Carroll and his wife Wendy. They are just as friendly as one would expect them to be. I did get to have my picture made with them. 

As many of you know, I had a stalker in 2011 for two weeks. Those two weeks completely changed my life. I notice more of my surroundings. I remember where and when I see someone. This day was no different. In a way, in this case, is a good thing.

The Little Boy...

Throughout the day, I had noticed a little fellow probably no older than eight. You could tell by the way he was dressed, they probably didn't have a whole lot. His pants were a little short. His shoes a little worn. Not being judgmental here I promise. He was there with his mom and a gentleman. He had on his cute little glasses and he reminded me of a dark haired Stuart Little. I had seen him during the day at different areas on the golf course. He was trying his best to get an autograph from "Timmy". I had watched him go up to the ropes at different times hoping to meet Tim.

At this point in the day, we were at the 17th Hole or the Island Green shot. He was getting antsy because he had to see Timmy. Since I had a volunteer shirt on, I was hoping I would get someone on Tim's entourage attention.  The boy's mom was going up the side of the slope to sit down. He refused to go sit down. So, I spoke up and told her "Just let him stay here with me. I will keep my eye on him I promise. You can trust me and I will do my best to get him an autograph." Of course his eyes lit up and he began begging her "Please mama pleaseeeeeeeeee." We would be only 200 yards from her so she agreed. 

Within a few minutes, you could see Tim's team coming around the pond from Hole 16. The little boy was so excited! As the golf cart rounded the top of the hill he began hitting me on the leg trying to get my attention. When the cart came to a stop, we were only 6 feet from Tim who was getting off of the cart and into a waiting crowd. We watched and he waited patiently. Then Tim's PR guy (I guess) came around to get a club for Tim. I leaned back where the little boy couldn't see me and started waving to get his attention. When I got it, I started pointing at the little guy who was standing on edge watching Tim's every move. I winked at the guy and he gave me nod as he walked back over to where Tim was lost in the crowd. A few minutes later, the guy started back to where we were with something in his hand. 

Quite honestly, every time I tell this part of the story and even as I am typing this out, I get teary eyed.... The guy came over to us and bent down to talk to the little guy. He said "Tim wanted me to tell you thank you for coming out today and being here. He also wanted me to give you this he signed just for you. Hope you like it." The little boy squealed and took off to his mom screaming "I got a signed football card from Timmy. Timmy signed and sent me a football card." Welp, I got all misty eyed on the side of the green. The guy looked at me, I nodded and told him thank you!!! That day is one day the cute little boy and myself will never forget.

The Little Girl...
I would say somewhere about the third or fourth hole, I began to see a tween aged girl (between 10 - 13) who was going around with her family consisting of her mother and two younger brothers. She was not hard to miss due to the fact she had on a baseball cap and a pair of white shorts. The hardest thing not to miss was the fact of the full length leg brace she was wearing. It went completely from ankle to hip. I began seeing her more and more as the day passed. 

After the event was over, after all the golfers had returned in, after all the autographs were signed, after all the golf balls were dropped, I was standing on a curb outside the Saw Grass facility just looking over the green thinking about the day as it had flown by. Slowly coming off the green and headed to the facility, there was the girl and her family. It had been a long, tiring day. As they got closer you could hear her younger brother in the agony of a six year old "How much further do we have to walk? My feet hurt. I am tired. I am hot. I want something to drink. Where is the car? Mommmmmmmm tote me please!!!!!!" Shame on me I know, but I chuckled a bit as I heard the list of complaints and demands as he was "huffing and puffing" along. 

Then his mother stopped him and said something I would have never guessed. Sure, with the ball cap and the leg brace, I knew she had some form of disability. I did not want to ask but I assumed to know. She simply said "Why are you complaining? What do you have to complain about? At least you have ALL the bones in your leg. Your sister is missing a bone and has had to sling a brace around all day. The brace is heavy. I don't hear her saying anything about being tired or complaining. Your legs are just a little shorter and are having to take more steps. Just keep going, we are almost there." She was not being rude of short by any means.

At that very moment, I realized just how blessed we are. We may have aches and pains, but at least we have all our bones. As I walked back to my truck, I began to start thanking God for all He has done in my life. For good health. Once in the truck, I just sat there and began to cry. My mind went to most church services and I had a revelation.

The next morning with the permission of the Pastor's wife, I spoke what was I felt lead to say after I did my pre-service announcements. This may not be word for word how I said it, but I can remember looking from the stage of the church and thinking I am about to either get an "amen" or I am going to be thinking "ohhhhh-me". 

I asked the congregation to stand. Then I began a series of "Do you have your left leg, left foot, and all five toes on your foot? Well, give it a shake. Do you have your right leg, right foot, and all five toes on your foot? Well, give it a shake too. Do you have your left arm, left hand, and all five fingers? Well, raise it up and wave it at me. Do you have your right arm, right hand, and all five fingers? Well, raise it up and wave it at me too. Do you have all the bones in all four limbs? Well, if you do you have no excuse to be sitting down during praise and worship with your arms crossed and your bottom lip rolled out like you have just sucked a lemon. How dare us take all these things we have and sit there like a knot on a log. We are a truly blessed people. Why can't we show God our gratitude by giving Him honor where honor is due?" Then I went into the story of the little girl. There were a lot of "amens". Yes, there were still some I was wondering if a tomato was going to get tossed my way as I grabbed my microphone and took my place on the praise team for praise and worship. 

The Tim Tebow...
Through out the day, wherever "Timmy" was located, you could find the largest group of people gathered round. He was always smiling. He was making conversation with those who were there watching and those playing with him. He kept interacting with the crowd. Not one time did I see him push anyone away. He posed for pictures after his shots. He took time to thank everyone for coming out. As a matter of fact, if I remember correctly, he was an hour and a half behind the team ahead of him. Even though they were pushing him to hurry, he still took extra time to stop and greet people. 

I personally didn't meet Timmy, but I walked away with some great life lessons that day. Two years later, telling the stories still makes my heart swell with pride I was there helping out that day!!!

For more pictures of that day, here is my album posted on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/windi.raper/media_set?set=a.472155239520745.1073741833.100001788188795&type=3