Father's Day Charity Golf Tournament Set for June 18

In 2002 Dr. Norman Berkman founded a Father-Son golf tournament in the hopes of creating an event where fathers could spend a day golfing with their children to celebrate Father's Day while supporting a worthy cause at the same time.

His vision, the annual Father's Day Father/Child Charity Golf Tournament, has become a very successful and popular event in the Houston area. The eighth edition of the event is scheduled for Thursday, June 18 at Wildcat Golf Club. 

The tournament makes charitable contributions to a number of different programs within the Houston Parks and Recreation Department including The First Tee, Houston/F.M. Law Park and Athletes Seeking Knowledge (ASK).

Last year the two-man scramble featured 146 players and raised $140,000.

"It has been a very exciting thing for me to see this event grow from nothing to where we are now," Berkman told the Houston Chronicle. "As an only child, I was very close to my father. He was truly a role model for me.

"About nine years ago I saw the senior pros playing with their sons. I saw them patting each other after a good shot, that sort of thing, and I thought, gosh, I would like to do that kind of thing."

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department operates The First Tee of Houston at F.M. Law Park for the benefit of Houston area children eager to learn the game of golf. Participation in the Father's Day Father/Child Charity Golf Tournament supports free youth golf instruction and facility enhancements at The First Tee of Houston.

The First Tee Junior Golf Program now has countless successful "graduates" who are making a difference in the golfing and business community.

The ASK program provides educational resources and scholarships to youth who take part in Houston Parks and Recreation Department programs. According to the Houston Chronicle, more than $65,000 has been given to youth ages 13 to 19 for scholarships, tutoring and practice exams, college and career fairs, and college tours.

This year the tournament is giving $18,000 to ASK.

For more information on the tournament or the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.houstonparksboard.com.