CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Xplorers and RiverKings to prove themselves on fairway

Published on June 1, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


TUNICA—The Memphis Xplorers and RiverKings will have two teams in the 4th Annual "Miracle Drive" Golf Tournament benefiting The Baddour Center, a non-profit residential community for adults with intellectual disabilities, at Tunica National Golf and Tennis Club in Tunica, Mississippi on Wednesday, June 8 at 1 p.m.

Celebrity guests at the tournament include Memphis Xplorers quarterback Brian Jones and Memphis RiverKings team captain Don Parsons as well as University of Memphis head football coach Tommy West and FM100 morning show deejays Ron and Steve.

The four-man scramble format tournament includes lunch, beginning at noon, and evening hors d'oeuvres provided by First Choice Catering. In addition to rewarding three winning teams in each flight, games for cash and prizes will be held throughout the day, including a Hole-In-One contest for a new Infiniti M-35. Cost to play is $600 per four-man team or $150 per individual.

Golfers can enjoy a state-of-the-art facility as well. The 7,210-yard, par-72 championship course layout was designed by PGA professional Mark McCumber & Associates and has earned a reputation as one of the premier golf facilities in the region since its opening in March 2004.

Since 1978, The Baddour Center has been serving men and women with intellectual disabilities on its 120-acre campus in rural Senatobia, Mississippi.

The Center's mission is to develop the maximum, God-given potential of each of its 172 residents mentally, spiritually, emotionally, socially, physically, and vocationally.

The Baddour Center staff focus on strengthening residents' vocational, fitness, recreational, spiritual and independent living skills.

With the chapel as the campus centerpiece, the grounds include three lakes and 31 buildings, including 14 group homes, four duplex apartments, an administrative building with a gym and fitness center, a welcome center, recreation center, performing arts center, transportation center, clinic, two vocational workshops, a greenhouse complex, and a retail garden center.

"We want the residents to be able to contribute and to achieve on a personal level," Baddour Special Events Coordinator Julie Bailey said. "Learning to care for and personalize living space is a primary lesson for those seeking independence. Because job satisfaction gives us all a sense of worth, residents have the opportunity to work at jobs that are interesting and rewarding—it's a vital part of life at The Baddour Center.

"We also try to provide for residents in other ways. Worship services are available to residents, and the Word of God is spread throughout the country by The Miracles, The Center's traveling choir. Physical fitness is stressed to promote good health. Recreational activities are offered to provide appropriate social experiences. Good sportsmanship and teamwork is always top priority and adds to the quality of life for each resident."

While the campus chapel is a focal point of life at Baddour, residents also work up to 30 hours per week and are paid based on their productivity at the garden center and workshops—including a packaging facility servicing three separate companies, one of whom is FedEx. They also spend time in drama, choir and art lessons, recreational activities and hanging out with friends.

"Working here has opened my eyes to a beautiful way of life," Bailey said. "I am inspired daily by the residents' deep faith, their commitment to their work and their love for other people."

The Baddour Center accepts no state or federal funds and is funded in part by revenues from special events like the annual "Miracle Drive" Golf Tournament. All fees and donations are tax deductible. For more information, call Bailey at 1-888-4BADDOUR, ext 1-230 or e-mail JBailey@baddour.org.

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