Florida Golf Tournament Benefits COTN
POSTED ON Jun 17, 2010 / UPDATED ON Jan 27, 2011
David Sprinkle plays a round of golf in the Fifth Annual RLC Enterprises Golf Tournament on June 5 in Mount Dora, Florida.
Rob Slezak, left, stands with COTN Field Services Director Eric Nachtrieb at the Fifth Annual RLC Enterprises Golf Tournament.
Taking a break from playing in the tournament, COTN Florida Satellite Director Beth Beagles stands with COTN Field Services Director Eric Nachtrieb.
The prize for a hole-in-one during the golf tournament was 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.
On Saturday, June 5, golfers grouped into foursomes to raise money for Children of the Nations (COTN) in Mount Dora, a small town near Orlando, Florida. COTN supporter Rob Slezak organized the Fifth Annual RLC Enterprises Golf Tournament, benefitting COTN. With experience organizing golf tournaments in the past, Rob saw this event as a natural choice to help raise money for COTN. “I love the fact that a local COTN supporter takes the initiative to start a fundraiser on his own,” says Beth Beagles, COTN Florida Satellite Director. “He does this himself with his company, and he’s such a great example of how I feel like supporters could be in the community.”
Rob started the event back in 2005, naming it after his marketing business RLC Enterprises, which helps put on the function. “It’s a fun event. People like to play golf,” Rob says. “But the emphasis is placed on why they are there, why we are having this event. And each year, the players have seen what we’re doing with the money.” The tournament concludes with a luncheon where the players are introduced to the COTN program they are supporting with their participation.
At the request of Rob, the $1,500 raised at the tournament this year will go toward COTN’s new Microfinance Loan Program starting in the Dominican Republic. Due to its timing, this year’s tournament was smaller than in years past, with about thirty-two golfers and fewer funds raised. But Rob is not discouraged and neither is COTN. “Although it was a smaller group this year, Rob was still able to raise a significant amount, which I am very proud of,” says Beth, who played in the tournament.
A big supporter of COTN’s ministry in the Dominican Republic, Rob took his first Venture Trip there in 2003 and has been back a number of times since, leading teams and participating in construction projects. His time spent there is a constant reminder of why he continues to host the tournament. “We try hard to put on an event that’s pleasurable for everybody, ensuring people are happy and enjoying themselves,” Rob says. “And at the same time, to raise as much money as we can for the cause.”
With that need in mind, Rob and Beth have brainstormed with COTN Field Services Director Eric Nachtrieb about how to grow the tournament in the years ahead. “I really love the fact that Rob ‘owns’ this event,” Beth says. “There is a huge opportunity to make it bigger and better, so I get excited about tweaking things and making it more viable in the community.”
As ideas already begin for next year’s tournament, Rob’s zeal for what God is doing through COTN will help in the planning process. “I’m committed, I love it, and I want to continue to do it,” Rob says. “It’s about being able to give back and be part of something that you believe in, and I believe in COTN whole-heartedly.”