The 10th Annual Thomas S. Vander Woude Memorial Golf Tournament was held on October 14 at the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club in Front Royal, Virginia, and raised $12,000 to fund the Thomas S. Vander Woude Scholar Athlete scholarship fund. The weather and views at the award-winning golf course could not have been more perfect for a day of camaraderie and fun.
The proceeds of this event fund the Thomas S. Vander Woude Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to two incoming freshmen each year. This year's freshman recipients are Claire Mense, who plays on the Lady Crusader volleyball team, and Joe Ellefson, who runs cross country. These athletes were selected on the basis of their academic excellence, athletic ability, and their overall character and community involvement. Previous years' TVW scholarship recipients, Mercy Wilson, Owen Kennedy, Thomas Audino, James Foeckler, and Ian Heisler, were also present at the event.
This year, 112 golfers, comprising 28 teams, participated in the tournament, with Phil, Jake, Joe, and Josh Daniel winning the tournament.
Many of Thomas Vander Woude's children and grandchildren were present at the tournament, making this event a true memorial of his heroic life.
To learn more about this scholarship fund, go here.
This event is held in memory of former athletic director, Thomas Vander Woude. Vander Woude's son, Josie, fell into a septic tank when the cover collapsed on their family farm. Vander Woude jumped in to save him and drowned in the tank while holding his son's head above the contents of the tank. Vander Woude is remembered not just for his heroic death, but for the character he showed as a father, husband, and devout Catholic. You can learn more about his story by watching this video.