The 3rd Annual St. Andrew Open Golf Tournament:
Supporting Scholarships for High School Seniors and Seminary Students
Hole-in-One Prize: Trip for Two to the 2023 Masters
St. Andrew United Methodist Church invites the community to support promising high school seniors with dreams of higher education as well as aspiring seminary students by sponsoring or playing in the third annual St. Andrew Open Golf Tournament, Monday, May 9, with shot gun starts at 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., at The Clubs of Prestonwood, Creek Course, 15909 Preston Road, Dallas. Proceeds from The St. Andrew Open support both St. Andrew scholarship programs. This year’s tournament will feature a Trip for Two to the 2023 Masters as a hole-in-one prize.
“Last year’s tournament raised a net total of almost $50,000, benefiting the Messenger of Hope Scholarship Fund for high school seniors and the Charles Stokes Seminary Education Fund for students interested in pursuing a life in ministry,” said Jimmy Decker, associate pastor, connectional ministries, St. Andrew UMC. “Since 2000, we have raised and distributed over $1 million to students through these two scholarships.”
The Messenger of Hope Scholarship Fund, presented by The United Methodist Men of St. Andrew, provides funding and mentorship programming for dozens of deserving students each year. Last year, this fund, which receives annual funding from the tournament and additional resources, provided a total of $70,800 in scholarships to 33 high school seniors, representing ten different area high schools: Arlington Bowie, Frisco, J.J. Pearce, Lake Highlands, Plano East, Plano Senior, Plano West, Richardson, R.L. Turner, and Woodrow Wilson. Scholarship recipients attended 19 different colleges including Baylor University, Brookhaven College, Louisiana State University, Midwestern State, Oklahoma State, Richland Community College, Sam Houston State, Tarleton State University, Texas Technical University, Texas A&M, Texas Woman’s University, University of Arkansas, University of Mississippi, University of North Texas, University of Texas, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at Tyler, and Wake Forest.
“The average tuition cost of each class at area community colleges is $500 so it’s easy to understand how this tournament can make an impact,” said Ray Adams, Messenger of Hope Scholarship Founder. “Too often, students earn good grades and have a true desire for a higher education, but family disruption, health issues or situations beyond their control, such as the effects of the pandemic, make college a financial impossibility."
Each year, through a partnership with the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, the Charles Stokes Seminary Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to qualified applicants who show gifts for a promising future in church leadership. In 2021, the fund was able to offer $15,000 scholarships to three seminary students. This scholarship fund was established by the late St. Andrew Pastor Charles Stokes and his wife Louise. The couple saw the tremendous need for new pastors, and this scholarship enables those with a drive and passion to serve in ministry to attend seminary. Coupled with this scholarship, St. Andrew staff members mentor these students over three years to help develop them into future leaders of the United Methodist Church.
“It is our belief that by affirming these men and women and supporting them both spiritually and financially, we can continue the mission of the church by ensuring strong leadership for the future,” said David Keene, Charles Stokes Seminary Education Scholarship Founder. “In the last nine years, we have provided well over $100,000 in scholarship funds for seminary students, including some of the current pastors at St. Andrew, including Jimmy Decker, who helps lead this important fundraising effort. Please join us on May 9, and together, let’s make the dreams of many area students come true.”
Additionally, on May 1, St. Andrew is hosting a Family Fun Day called the St. Andrew Cup on its campus, 5801 W. Plano Parkay, at 10:40 a.m., giving all ages a fun chance to come together and support this cause. Events include a putt-putt course, a chipping contest, food and more.
To sponsor or play in The Open and to learn more about the St. Andrew Cup Family Fun Day, visit https://www.standrewumc.org/standrewopen.
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St. Andrew United Methodist Church began in 1986 in the spirit of its namesake, a disciple of Jesus. The life of the Apostle Andrew embodies the church's mission, which is to invite the Christian-ish and the unchurched to become passionate servants of Christ. The congregation of St. Andrew follows Jesus, lives in relationship, serves others, and takes risks in faith. Worship includes four services each weekend on a 21.2-acre campus at the corner of Plano Parkway and Mira Vista in Plano, Texas, where more than 2,000 people gather each weekend. Recent renovation allows the Sanctuary to host worship in both Traditional style, with the classic pipe organ, and Contemporary style, with a new LED center screen and lighting technology. Small groups and Bible studies gather on campus and throughout the region every day of the week. Mission opportunities serve our local area, neighboring regions, and global communities. The church has been repeatedly selected as a "Best Place to Worship in Plano” by the readers of the Plano Star Courier. St. Andrew United Methodist Church is located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Visit www.standrewumc.org; call 972-380-8001.