When the Volunteers of America North Texas Shootout Presented by JTBC ended Sunday afternoon, 18 of the biggest names in women’s golf didn’t hop on planes to head home, instead they stayed in town to do their own volunteering.
Texas native Angela Stanford hosted her ninth annual Let Your Light Shine Charity Golf Tournament Monday in Fort Worth to benefit the Angela Stanford Foundation.
Over the years, Stanford has raised more than $600,000 towards scholarships for Texas students, as well as donations to the First Tee of Fort Worth, the Lena Pope Home and families affected by cancer.
“I have always wanted to help kids,” Stanford said via email Thursday. “The Lena Pope Home is a foster care organization and The First Tee helps kids through golf. After my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, we decided to help kids and their families affected by cancer. People have helped me all my life, so it feels good to get to help others.”
Her fellow players enjoy helping out too, with Michelle Wie, Karrie Webb, Christina Kim and more participating in this year’s tournament, and whose support Stanford is very grateful to have.
“Having other players support my Foundation means a great deal to me. I hope they believe in what my Foundation is doing and trust we don't take for granted their help and time.” Stanford said. “I believe the women who play on Tour have hearts to help others. They are some of the most caring people in the world and I think they enjoy helping when they can.”
This was the ninth year for the event, which Stanford said was bigger than ever raising more than $110,000. This year’s event featured a full field playing 18 holes during the day, rather than playing nine holes during the day and nine holes at night as was the format in the past.
This fall, the Angela Stanford Foundation will host A Night with the Stars concert and dinner to fund scholarships for the year. For more information or to donate to the foundation, visit angelastanfordfoundation.org.