Mason Covelli, Steve Barman, Chris McLaughlin, and Sean Guffey. PROVIDED

The Craig Scott Memorial Golf Tournament, “Tee It Up FORE Kids,” benefiting The Heights Center Early Learning program, raised $76,825. The annual tournament honors Scott, a long-time board member and supporter of Heights Early Learning.

The Heights Center Early Learning program, a vital initiative under The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center umbrella, serves over 80 children from birth to 4 years old. Committed to providing quality and affordable childcare for low-income families in the area, the program has earned a prestigious five-star rating from The Early Learning Coalition.

“We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support shown by our sponsors, participants, and volunteers at this year’s tournament,” said Kathryn Kelly, founder, president, and CEO of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center. “Their contributions enable us to continue providing a stable and nurturing environment for children in need, empowering parents to work knowing their kids are well cared for and safe.”

Title sponsors were Susan Scott and The Masiello Family Foundation. Pat Ostrom was the Trophy sponsor.

Birdie Sponsors were Lake Michigan Credit Union, Owen-Ames-Kimball Company, RG Architects, Chip and Nancy Roach, Jim and Cindy Dwyer, Neal and Sherry Halleran, Bill and Laurie Harkey, Judy and Gerry Risch, Bonitz, FineMark National Bank and Trust, Florida Gulf Coast University, Golisano Children’s Hospital/Lee Health, Green, Schoenfeld and Kyle LLP, The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, and Skanska.

Tom Lytton, Mike Goin, and Patrick Halvarson. PROVIDED

The event took place on April 12 at Shell Point Golf Club in Fort Myers. It included lunch at St. Charles Yacht Club, a raffle, and awards.

The first-place team was Jim Dwyer, Chris Dwyer, John Dwyer, and Jim Welch. The second-place team was Tom Lytton, Tim Vo, Mike Goins, Patrick Halvarson. The third-place team was Chris McLaughlin, Sean Guffey, Mason Covelli, and Steve Barman. The closest-to-the-pin (men) was John Muni and (women) Beth Prather. The longest-drive (men) was Jim Dwyer and (women) Megan Clipse.

The Heights Early Learning is at 15570 Hagie Drive, in Fort Myers. For those interested in learning more about The Heights Center Early Learning program or supporting its mission, visit heightsfoundation.org or contact Annie Campbell at 239-482-7706 or via email at annie@heightsfoundation.org.

About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center

The Heights Foundation works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. The mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts. The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for education, opportunity, and enrichment.

Pat Ostrom and Kathryn Kelly. PROVIDED

Heights Early Learning serves more than 80 babies through 4 years old. The Heights Center serves 155 children in after school and 153 children in summer camp. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 200 children from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community. Approximately 923 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 81% Hispanic, 15% African-American, and 4% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. As a result, families cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood.

John Muni and Byan Filson. PROVIDED

John Dwyer, Jim Dwyer, Jim Welch, and Chris Dwyer. PROVIDED

Jamie Fautz, Kathryn Kelly, Susan Scott, Tom Lytton, Beth Prather, Alesha Watchowski, Armando Llechu, Teri Palmer, Bryan Filson , and Jan-Erik Hustrulid. PROVIDED

Bryan Filson and Megan Clipse. PROVIDED