Sanderson Farms PGA Golf Tournament Welcomes TRS

This week, golf enthusiasts from near and far have traveled to Jackson for the annual Sanderson Farms PGA Championship. The professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour is hosted at the Country Club of Jackson from September 30th through October 3rd.

As the pros take the green, their involvement contributes tremendously to our local economy in many ways. Century Club Charities manages the event with proceeds going to Friend’s of Children’s Hospital and more than 50 other deserving nonprofit organizations including The Redeemer’s School. In addition to giving back monetarily, the Sanderson Farms Tournament also utilizes the event to introduce students in Jackson to the game of golf and provide them with the opportunity to interact with professional players before the tournament officially begins.

The Tournament showcases two pillars in our Thriving Index, athleticism represented as BODY | Physical Development and SERVICE | Community Engagement. The tournament is a wonderful opportunity to help our students see how the pillars can compliment one another in a real-world setting.

This past Monday, our 3rd, 4th & 5th graders were invited by First Tee to join them for a first-class field trip to the Country Club of Jackson for a golf clinic. hosted by the tournament. During the clinic, Brooks Baldwin, a Magee native and long-drive competitor, showed off his talent by demonstrating a long-drive and several trick shots. Students then had a unique opportunity to watch professional players arrive to the 18th hole. Aside from the competitors, TRS students were the only spectators allowed on the course.

“My favorite part was watching the pro players play the 18th hole while we were sitting in the shade," says Fourth grader Kensley.

TRS Student Activities and Logistics Coordinator, Mr. Robert Akin arranged Monday’s field trip. “Since 2019, TRS has been one of only a select group of organizations that are promoted by the PGA and the Sanderson Farms Championship as a Community Partner,” shared Mr. Akin. “The Executive Director of the tournament, Steve Jent, has been a valued partner from the start, as none of this would have happened without his generous invitation to our students.”

TRS was introduced to the Sanderson Farms Championship through the school’s First Tee collaboration, which began in the 2018-2019 school year. First Tee is a national program that familiarizes students with the sport of golf. The program provides TRS with golf equipment and additional resources to teach students the fundamentals of the game. During P.E., Mr. Akin incorporates lessons from the First Tee National program into his curriculum. It is this partnership program with First Tee that planted seeds for the announcement that TRS will be offering middle school students the opportunity to join our school golf team in the spring semester.

TRS is grateful for our partnership with Century Club Charities and First Tee for their invitation & impact in the lives of our students at TRS!