Operation Literacy Awards Ceremony
Valero Texas Open
By: Athena Perez

The ability to read and write is the backbone of education and life. This simple concept was the motivation behind the PGA TOUR Wives Association’s Operation Literacy, a three-week campaign to raise awareness about the importance of literacy.

Amy Wilson, president of the PTWA, holds literacy very dear to her heart. She wanted to incorporate literacy in the PTWA’s efforts to give back to our tournament communities. The PTWA is always looking for new and unique ways to give back and had three very willing participants in THE PLAYERS Championship, the Valero Texas Open and the HP Byron Nelson Championship. The committees were formed, and the project was underway.

During Week One of Operation Literacy, Tabitha Furyk headed up THE PLAYERS Championship effort by providing children from PedsCare an opportunity to have some fun in the sun at These Kids Can Play – BookFest! (Read more about the event in the article below.)

Week Two, thousands of middle schoolers throughout San Antonio participated in a unique essay and short story writing contest about “what you would save.” After several rounds of judging, 74 finalists were invited to join the PTWA members, PGA TOUR players and special guest speakers at an awards ceremony celebrating their excellence in literacy. The day was all about the children: PGA TOUR players serving up popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones and other great treats greeted students as they arrived. Books donated by Books-A-Go-Go were on display for the kids to take home with them as they left. Presents, trophies and balloons decorated the room with color. The air was thick with excitement and anticipation.

PGA TOUR Professional Troy Matteson talked about how literacy was and is important in his life. Tim Finchem, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR, encouraged the students to continue in their pursuit of writing and reading excellence. Tony Piazzi, President and CEO of Golf San Antonio, expressed his excitement about working with the PTWA and involving the San Antonio community. Over 2000 books generated from a book drive held by Valero and the PTWA were presented to San Antonio Youth Literacy.  And finally came the moment they had all been waiting for.  Everyone was anxious to hear who the winners were. Winners were announced for Most Touching, Most Likely to Change Someone Today, Most Creative, 3rd, 2nd and…Tim Petrovic? Tim was asked to come to the microphone to read the 1st place essay. He graciously obliged.

 “Imagine-you are climbing a huge tree, racing your younger sister to the highest branch you can see through the tangle of tree limbs above you…” Tim read. Taylore knew it was her essay and sat smiling as it was read. The rest of the crowd, young and old, were amazed by Taylore’s amazingly graphic and beautiful essay.

When Tim completed reading the oh okthanks essay, Taylore came to the stage to accept her trophy and prizes. TaylorMade Golf donated a new set of junior clubs for her, the TOUR Academy in San Antonio donated two one hour lessons, TPC San Antonio donated a round of golf for four and to top it off, Kimberly Roberson, a children’s book illustrator, donated her services to illustrate the winning essay for a personalized book.

Taylore’s teacher, Jay Jarvis, was very proud and appreciative. “Often times our academic super stars don’t have the sporting venue, they don’t have the musical venue… frankly, they get lost in the shuffle. [This] lets them have their moment to shine,” said Jay with a huge smile and Taylore’s new golf clubs and bag on his back. “When you see people who care when they don’t have to, that’s the best thing ever.”

And it was all worth it. The countless hours reading essays and working on the event was all worth it. Seeing the children dressed up and so proud and learning of the students' excitement to get out of school and come to a hotel - many of the children had never been to a hotel, let alone a beautiful resort like the JW Marriott San Antonio, that was set up just for them. To see the wide eyed children walking through the hallway filled with treats and professional athletes there just for them. They made it all worth it. It was a day meant for them to remember. But as is happens, it was a day WE will never forget.

To learn more about Operation Literacy, visit the website at www.TOURWivesLiteracyDrive.com.

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Athena Perez talks about Operation Literacy Campaign
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