Marlow's Tavern, the Woodall and Sterling Culinary Management Raise Over $138K for Special Olympics at Annual Golf Tournament
Marlow’s Tavern, the Woodall and Sterling Culinary Management executive chef, CEO and co-founder John C. Metz is pleased to announce that its 24th Annual Golf Classic has raised $112,363 for Special Olympics Georgia. Combined with the $26,000 donated by guests through the restaurants’ “Be A Champ” September donation program, the contribution increases to more than $138,000.
"The Golf Classic to benefit Special Olympics Georgia is an important annual tradition, and we are honored to see how these contributions benefit and empower athletes and their families,” says Metz. “Many supporters and participants join forces to contribute and raise money for Special Olympics Georgia, and we appreciate that they invest to help us make such an amazing impact.”
This year’s sold-out golf tournament took place on Oct. 10 at the Country Club of Roswell with participants enjoying breakfast, lunch and a challenging round of golf that culminated in a festive reception and silent auction where all funds raised directly benefit SOGA athletes. In addition to its tournament efforts, Marlow’s Tavern raised more than $26,000 for Special Olympics Georgia in September during its “Be a Champ. Give to a Champ” fundraiser. Guests donating $1 or more received a $5 gift card to redeem during a future visit. Since the inception of its partnership with SOGA in 1999, the restaurant group has raised more than $1.7 million to help fund athletic competitions and provide life-changing experiences to the more than 26,620 athletes, their families and the community.
“It was a great celebration. There was a lot of high energy, and everyone came together to support our Special Olympics athletes,” says Georgia Milton-Sheats, CEO of Special Olympics Georgia. “This fundraising initiative allows us to plan and support four weekend athletic events in the next 12 months: Winter Games in Marietta, Summer Games at the Emory University Campus, the Horse Show in Gainesville and Fall Games in Valdosta.”
Most delegate athletes participate in multiple sports so the funds allow them to travel to multiple places, stay for the weekend when they compete and socialize with their teammates and friends they have made over time.
Last month, the Georgia Restaurant Association named Sterling Hospitality, the restaurant group behind Marlow’s Tavern, the Woodall, Sterling Culinary management and more, its Hospitality Hero of the Year during its Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards ceremony. Additionally, the Woodall was selected as Favorite Neighborhood Hangout in the new “Georgia on my Mind” People’s Choice Award category.