The CJ Memorial Golf Tournament Committee has announced their plans for the second annual fundraising golf tournament in memory of C.J. Seitz. 

The C.J. Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at Hidden Lakes Golf Course on Monday, Sept. 15.

 The tournament, presented by Carson Bank and Derby Wal-Mart, will have a 4-person scramble format with a shotgun start at noon.

C.J. Seitz was a Derby resident with multiple developmental disabilities who passed away unexpectedly in June of 2006. 

To honor the life of C.J., a volunteer committee came together to create a memorial golf tournament that would raise funds to benefit an organization that was an important part of C.J.’s life, the Derby Free Spirits.

“The Derby Free Spirits organization was very grateful to be the beneficiary of the CJ Memorial tournament,” Carol Keller, president of the Derby Free Spirits board, said. “Because of the generous $10,000 donation made from the proceeds of last year’s tournament, participants in our Free Spirits programs no longer have to pay fees for any activity. This helps lessen the financial burden that often affects the families of those with special needs.”

The Derby Free Spirits program was created in 1982 to provide individuals who had intellectual and/or physical disabilities with opportunities for various recreation and leisure activities. 

The organization is a registered Special Olympics of Kansas local program with a 501c3 non-profit status. The Derby Free Spirits is an independent organization with a cooperative partnership with the Derby Recreation Commission (DRC) to coordinate their activities. It is directed by a volunteer board of local residents.

C.J. Seitz loved all things weather related and the tournament highlights this love of weather with the different sponsorship levels available: Tornado, Lightening, Thunder and Storm. 

The 2008 CJ Memorial Tournament sponsors include: Tornado sponsors – Carson Bank and Derby Wal-Mart; Lightening Sponsors – AT&T, Ametek Aerospace and Defense, Carlos O’Kelly’s, Frito Lay, Mid-States Fitness Equipment, Precor, and Sara Lee.  Thunder and Storm level sponsors are still being accepted.

Because the 2007 CJ Memorial Tournament had the maximum number of participants (144), those interested in playing in the 2008 tournament are encouraged to register early. 

Registration forms are located at Derby and Mulvane locations of Carson Bank, Derby Wal-Mart and the Derby Recreation Center. 

Online registrations are also accepted and encouraged and can be found at www.derbyrec.com. 

Those interested in more information about the tournament, sponsorship, or volunteer opportunities may contact Carol Keller at (316) 788-3801 or rkeller3@cox.net or DeeAnna Claytor, DRC Program Coordinator for the Free Spirits, at (316) 788-3781 or deeanna@derbyrec.com. 

Tournament information is also available at www.derbyweb.com.