Texas Southmost College and the TSC Foundation took fundraising to the green with its inaugural golf tournament – The Scorpion Classic, which was hosted on June 26 at the Rancho Viejo Resort and Country Club.
More than 100 golfers teed off to support TSC student scholarships at the sold-out event, which raised more than $45,000.
TSC Director of Foundation and Community Outreach David Tumlinson said he is excited about the turnout, especially since it is TSC’s first golf tournament.
“We are so fortunate that this event sold out within weeks of promoting it,” he said. “From golfers to sponsors, everyone has played a major role in ensuring that our students can get a college education.”
The funds raised will increase the number of scholarships the TSC Foundation can award to students.
“Each year the Foundation awards about 250 scholarships to students,” said Manny M. Casanova, TSC Foundation Board Chair. “The kind of support we received from across the Lower Rio Grande Valley and beyond shows that many people believe in what we are doing at TSC and see how an education from Texas Southmost College represents the best path to upward social mobility and a better life.”
Tumlinson added that he is grateful to have received the support and trust from the TSC Board of Trustees and TSC President Jesús Roberto Rodríguez to host this fundraising event.
“With Tumlinson as a member of the TSC family, we are able to take our fundraising and donor relations to the next level,” said Adela Garza, who serves as both a TSC Trustee and TSC Foundation board member. “This is good news for our students and community because this means that we’re not only working diligently to keep college affordable, but we’re also working to provide the financial assistance many of our students need. This is an exciting time for TSC and those we serve.”
The Foundation awards a variety of scholarships, to support students enrolled in academic and workforce pathways, such as roofing, plumbing, electrical and welding.
For students and alumni like Reinaldo Fernandez, TSC scholarships are lifesavers.
Fernandez graduated with an associate degree in Criminal Justice in December 2020, and it was TSC’s Finish Strong Scholarship that helped him get there.
“The pandemic hit my family hard,” he said. “First my dad’s work shut down, then he got laid off and for families living humble lives, this is devastating. It made for some really hard months, but thanks to the scholarship I received I was able to finish what I started.”
Rodríguez said there are many other students like Fernandez who benefit from scholarships awarded by TSC, and it is evident from the tournament’s success that community members across Cameron and Willacy counties believe in TSC’s mission.
For their support and dedication to TSC, golfers were treated to a luncheon immediately following the tournament, where door prizes were distributed and closest to the pin awards were announced. In addition, prizes were awarded to teams taking first, second and third place.
Tumlinson said he looks forward to continuing to strengthen partnerships with golf tournament sponsors, participants and community members who supported the TSC Foundation scholarship fund.
For more information about upcoming fundraising events or how to become a donor, visit tsc.edu or call 956-295-3679.