Area Golfers Tee-Off to Support the Nick King Foundation on Sept. 9

The life of Dexter resident and avid sports enthusiast Nick King will be honored Sept. 9 at the second annual Nick King Memorial Golf Tournament.

Four-member teams will compete in 18 holes of golf at Reddeman Farms to help raise money for the Nick King Foundation, a nonprofit organization that sponsors underprivileged children and teenagers who attend youth camps and community sports seminars.

Nick, who would've celebrate his 18th birthday this year, died in 2010 from injuries sustained in a boating accident while vacationing on Lake Lancer in Gladwin County.

"We want to keep Nick's name alive in the community," Carla Pizzoli, Nick's mother said. "We set up this foundation because I felt it was something Nick would've wanted us to do in his memory."

Last year roughly 100 golfers attended the fundraiser, and helped raise $34,000 for a memorial pavilion at the soccer field.

"The outpouring of support from the community last year was overwhelming," Pizzoli said. "The pavilion is so beautiful and it serves as a constant tribute to Nick."

The fundraiser begins with a 1 p.m. shotgun start, and Pizzoli said teams are still needed. Registration, open to anyone in the community, costs $300 per team.

The $300 registration fee includes golf cart rental, balls, a hot dog lunch and two drink tickets. Each golfer will also receive a complimentary gift bag featuring a Reddeman Farms golf ball and an embroidered event golf towel. In addition, there will be a raffle and two closest-to-the-pin and long-drive contests. Local business have donated all the prizes.

“The community has been very generous," Pizzoli said. "Whether it's the raffle prizes, hole sponsorships or other donations, we're extremely grateful."

Hole sponsors are also needed. For $100, businesses or individuals can sponsor one of the 18 holes and will be included on a sign with their name and telephone number.

For more information on the golf outing, or to register a team, contact Pizzoli at 734-904-0234 or email cpizzoli@tdaf.com. Donations can be sent to the Nick King Memorial Fund, 7856 Poplar Dr., Dexter MI, 48130.