Bob McKinney Memorial golf tournament tees off Saturday
Friday, August 22, 2008 3:16 PM PDT
Argus Observer sports staff
Payette— The Bob McKinney Memorial golf tournament was created in memory of a great community leader and friend, Bob McKinney. McKinney held many positions within the community where he became very well known and liked. Among others, he worked for NACA, owned the Cheyenne Social Club and, when he passed, was the plant manager at Swire Coca Cola in Fruitland.
Barry Carlman and Kenn Schappert spoke shortly after Bob’s passing about a way to commemorate Bob’s life and keep his good will within the community. With the blessing of Kitty, Bob’s wife, the two men came up with a plan to use the Fruitland Chamber of Commerce golf tournament, and expand it to become the “Fruitland Chamber of commerce presents the Bob McKinney Memorial golf tournament”.
The Chamber tournament has been running for eight years, but this will be the third annual Bob McKinney event. The memorial will consist of teams of four and hole sponsors to the community. The Biz Zone has been very generous in creating the signs with company logo’s.
The proceeds of the tournament are split, with the Chamber getting a percentage, but the majority of the money that comes in has been used to create and fund the Bob McKinney Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is offered to local seniors and is one year full tuition to Treasure Valley Community College. The requirements to qualify for the scholarship are very liberal, and the scholarship selection board looks each year for a qualified student who meets the criteria but is also very involved in the community and plans to stay involved.
“We were fortunate this year to award scholarships to two very deserving young ladies,” Schappert said. “Tiffany Kaiser, Payette, and Nancy Gonzalez, Fruitland. Both plan to attend TVCC this fall and major in the nursing field.
The tournament this year is Saturday and is held at Scotch Pines Golf Course in Payette. If you have any questions, or need any more information, call Kenn Schappert at (208) 740-9247.
