The new format for the Tapemark was announced by tournament co-founder Bob Klas Sr., saying “I am so excited about the new direction for the Tapemark, and what it means for women’s golf and our connection to the broader community. We are grateful to the many people, both women and men, who support this new vision, and who helped us strategize and plan the new combined Tapemark event. And while the new tournament represents a big change, our mission and purpose have stayed exactly the same: improving the lives of people living with developmental disabilities, and their families.”

In the 41st year of the Tournament, Women Professional and Amateur golfers will play on Tuesday, June 5th with a Championship round on Sunday, June 10th. Based on the same format of the successful Men’s Event, teams will be captained by a Woman Professional golfer, and teams will be drawn randomly to include an A, B, and C amateur. Professionals will be competing for more than $4,000 in prize money and the Nora McGuire Tapemark Professional Championship trophy, named for Women’s Golf Professional Nora McGuire, longtime head professional at Phalen Park, who was recently elected to the Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame.

The week of Pro-Am activities begins on June 3rd with a Drawing of Teams Banquet, Women’s Event Day one June 5th (with both a competitive flight and a one-day open tournament for non-handicapped women’s golfers), Men’s play on June 8 and 9, and then the week will culminate with Championship Play on Sunday, June 10 in both the Men’s and Women’s Event. Building on a 40-year tradition, the trophy presentation that day will see an total Pro-Am purse of more than $50,000! All rounds are played at host and sponsor Southview Country Club, and registration will open on February 29, at tapemarkgolf.org.

President Philip Callen announced the total and presented checks to representatives from the five charities including Arc Greater Twin Cities, The Arc of Minnesota, ProAct, Dakota Communities, and the Learning Disabilities Program of Children’s Home Society and Family Services. Shaun Irwin, President of Anderson Agency, the Presenting Sponsor of the Tapemark Pro-Am, was on hand to congratulate the agencies and thanked them for their hard work in improving the lives of people with disabilities.

“We’re so proud to say that in the celebration of our 40th year, we were able to bring our year-to-date total donations to over $6.6 million” announced Tapemark Pro-Am Vice-Chairman Robert Klas, Jr. “Each year we feel so privileged to be able to make such a difference, and agree that for us, this is by far the best day of the year.”

In addition to distributing funds, the Pro-Am had another big announcement: in 2012 the Pro-Am will feature a new Women’s Pro-Am as part of the event. The Tapemark Women’s Pro-Am will be the only women’s Pro-Am in Minnesota, and the Women’s Professional Championship will be the first of its kind in the state.

In the 41st year of the Tournament, Women Professional and Amateur golfers will play on Tuesday, June 5th with a Championship round on Sunday, June 10th. Based on the same format of the successful Men’s Event, teams will be captained by a Woman Professional golfer, and teams will be drawn randomly to include an A, B, and C amateur. A Women’s Professional Purse will be available to all competitors, and this will mark a full week of Pro-Am events.

The week begins on June 3rd with a Drawing of Teams Banquet, Women’s Event Day one June 5th (with both a competitive flight and a one-day tournament for non-handicapped women’s golfers), Men’s play on June 8 and 9, and then the week will culminate with Championship Play on Sunday, June 10 in both the Men’s and Women’s Event. Building on a 40-year tradition, the trophy presentation that day will see an increased Pro-Am purse of more than $50,000! All rounds are played at host and sponsor Southview Country Club, and registration will open in early January 2012 at tapemarkgolf.org.

The team event finished in a tie between team 14 (Benoit, Hayne, Winsor and Tinucci) and team 40 (Carlson, Prosser, Borgeson and Passe) at -60.

More information to follow…

Thank you to all the competitors at the 17th Annual Tapemark Charity Women’s Golf Event, held Monday, Sept 19th at Southview Country Club. The weather cooperated fully with beautiful sunshine, and we shared a glorious afternoon of camraderie, competition, and most importantly, raising charitable funds to change the lives of people with developmental and learning disabilities.

We could not have done it without the critical support of our major sponsors: Anderson Ageny * US Bank * Southview Country Club * Tapemark Company * Travelers * Langer Commercial Real Estate * Lifeworks * PreferredOne * Langer Commercial Real Estate * TSE, Inc. * Associated Wealth Management

Congratulations to our 2011 Flight Winners!

Championship Flight – Amy Ament & Mary Warian
1st Flight - Jeri Meola & Katie Gordon
2nd Flight - Kathy Daleki & Jane Hill
Fun Flight #1 – Jane Meger & Kim Osbeck
Fun Flight #2  - Dianne Carlson & Vanessa Greer

And thanks to all our players for their generous financial support!

One of our sponsors is Anderson Agency, a Minneapolis-based independent insurance agency. Shaun Irwin, president of Anderson Agency, says the reason he has supported Tapemark for the past six years is because of the collaborative effort of people from the community to help those in need.

“Just like Anderson Agency protects families and business so they can fulfill their dreams, the Tapemark helps those organizations that provide a safe environment for people with disabilities so they can also fulfill their dreams,” says Irwin.

And although Irwin describes himself as, at best, an excellent “social golfer”, he loves the history of commitment and competition of the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am. According to Irwin, he has never played in a tournament that compares with Tapemark, which is why he and the Anderson Agency will continue to support it well into the future.

“Helping the community is a part of everyone’s role here, and it’s something I feel fortunate to get to do.”

The Tapemark Benefiting Charities and the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am offer the promise of this constant support. For more than 50 years, our benefiting charities, Arc Greater Twin Cities, The Arc of Minnesota, Dakota Communities, ProAct, and the Learning Disabilities Program of Children’s Home Society and Family Services, have been working daily to help people with disabilities reach their full potential and live the lives of their choosing in their own communities. And the Tapemark Pro-Am has been their partner for 38 years, raising and donating more than $6.4 million to support them.

All Tapemark Pro-Am funding comes in the form of General Operating funds. Much of the grant funding given to non-profits is tied directly to specific programs, and they can often find themselves strapped for cash to operate on a day-to-day basis. The Tapemark Pro-Am is committed to providing General Operating funds to ease this burden, and help ensure these agencies will be there for their constituents and members.

While we have made tremendous strides in how we support people with disabilities, we are still working to overcome the stigma that ruined many lives when people with disabilities were shunned, hidden away, or shuttled off to state institutions to face lives of limited hope or promise. The Tapemark Pro-Am is staunchly committed to a day when all Minnesotans, regardless of ability, can live, work, and play in their own communities with dignity and respect.

Uncertain economic times almost always result in dramatic state budget cuts in the human services, and Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens invariably face the biggest of these cuts in funding. The past several years, while difficult for all of us, have seen this played out again and again. We know how tough the past several years have been for everyone, and how difficult a decision a financial contribution can be. We only ask that you remember how much your support means to people living with a disability, to their family, and to their friends. And then remember, you are those people.

Southview golf professional Phil Anderson dropping off donation for Arc's Value Village Store in St Paul.

At the close of the golf season, Anderson takes all his remaining clothing stock from his pro shop and donates it to Arc’s Value Village. In 2009, that donation amounted to $6,170 of brand new golf apparel. In the last two years, Anderson has donated more than $15,400 worth of clothing to Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores & Donation Centers. Pam Carlson, director of community relations,  Arc Greater Twin Cities, lauded Anderson for his contribution. “This is easily one of the biggest individual donations of clothing we receive each year, and it’s all new, so it’s in great condition.”
 
“I believe that people with disabilities deserve a good quality of life,” Anderson said while making his donation at the new Arc Value Village store on the east side of St Paul. “I know how important the Tapemark charities are to them, and that these organizations continue to have their budgets cut. This is something I can do to help.” To anyone who knows Phil, his generosity and commitment are not surprising. Philip Callen, president of the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am sees this first-hand. “We know from working closely with him that Phil spends a great deal of time in the off-season thinking up ways to make the Tapemark a better golf event and a better fundraiser.” Apparently, it’s a full-time job.
 
Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores carry gently used and new clothing and household items at locations in St Paul, Richfield, Brooklyn Center and New Hope. All proceeds from the stores benefit the programs and services of Arc Greater Twin Cities, a Tapemark Pro-Am benefiting agency supporting people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Visit them at www.arcsvaluevillage.org or at www.facebook.com/arcsvaluevillage.

Now in her early 60s, Kathy Thames was born into a different world for people with disabilities, a time of low expectations and limited resources devoted to care and development programs. The oldest of 10 children, Kathy grew up in a close and caring family and she was encouraged to become her own person. Although she had limited verbal skills, her puzzles were always out and she had a favorite seat at the table. Her mother, Jane Thames, recalls that she had nicknames for all of her siblings, and their friends, too. Kathy’s regular daily chore was emptying the dishwasher.

Life outside the home was not as comforting. One early social worker suggested Kathy spend a month at the state hospital in Cambridge, in case she would become a ward of the state. The experience was horrifying for the
family. Kathy was retrieved after just three days. Later, Cambridge was closed.

Over the years a number of possible programs were tried, and some proved more valuable than others. After several trials with day activity and work programs for Kathy, with many of them focused on job skills, her mother found that it is the people who make the difference. She is pleased with what ProAct has provided. The service compares favorably to the Merriam Park Day Activity Center that Kathy attended when she was 22.

Jane was concerned about the sheltered workshops of the 1980s. “Why teach her that money is the most important thing? She will never be able to support herself,” she said. More importantly, she wanted her daughter to have choices.“ We all get to chose where we work. Why shouldn’t she?” she queried.

“I want her to be happy and comfortable each day,” said Thames of the services for her daughter, a 7-year participant with ProAct. ProAct not only provides Kathy with many choices of classes, but variety. To fishing she says “No, thank you,” but volunteering at Feed My Starving Children, mall walking, cooking class and bagging cards on the work floor all get a “thumbs-up.”

Each day, Kathy carries a notebook between ProAct and home so her favorite people at ProAct can write about her activities of the day. Staff members write short messages about outings and work progress, often adding very complimentary notes. Each is cherished by Kathy, and the communications help her mother ask questions about the day’s events.

In contrast, a work program attended prior to ProAct placed Kathy in a fast food kitchen chopping tomatoes. “She hates tomatoes … and she doesn’t like messes,” said Jane, “Kathy was miserable.”

Today, it is all different. “Kathy comes home from ProAct happy and satisfied, virtually every day,” said Thames. “It is a great relief and peace of mind.”

ProAct

ProAct, Inc. has been assisting people with disabilities for 40 years, and offers numerous programs to maximize each person’s potential. From life skills classes to vocational and employment programs, the organization is experienced in identifying and working with a person’s needs, strengths and aspirations, helping individuals to lead productive lives.

Working from its headquarters in Eagan, from a substantial facility in Red Wing and through satellite programs in western Wisconsin and Zumbrota, ProAct serves people with disabilities in the Twin Cities metro, southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Transportation is provided to its facilities and to community work settings.

In helping people with brain injuries, ProAct’s Adult Day Services program is geared toward improving a person’s overall well being, through classes and therapeutic recreation. In preparing for employment, clients receive pre-vocational services, develop good work habits and learn effective interpersonal and problem solving skills. People with disabilities get support in their search for competitive employment to help ensure long term success. Through coaching, the use of adaptive technology and problem solving, ProAct is the catalyst for satisfaction and pride at work, and in successful daily living.

Two initiatives offered through Dakota Communities are providing a way for Angie to do her favorite things while simultaneously improving her health and quality of life.

Angie, a 24-year-old with mild cerebral palsy, moved into Paul’s Place, a Dakota Communities’ home, in September 2008. Almost before her things were unpacked, the staff discovered two of her favorite things to do.

“Angie likes to cook with the staff,” said Jodi Iverson, Angie’s Program Coordinator. “And she loves to talk!” When asked what she enjoys most about being a part of Dakota Communities, Angie responded, “Talking to the staff about my day!” And when asked about what she most enjoyed baking and eating with the staff, Angie replied, “Brownies!”

Angie has the opportunity to pursue her love of cooking with other people from Dakota Communities in a program called “Harvest Meals – Culture Cuisine,” offered through the Center for Therapeutic Horticulture and Recreation Services at the University of Minnesota. The program promotes healthy food choices, increases nutritional knowledge and encourages social interaction between participants. During the summer, the group meets at a farm where residents can see how foods they eat are grown and harvested. “Angie is planning to garden this summer,” said Jodi, “so this program is helping her learn what to put in her garden.”

Angie also combines cooking and friendship through Dakota Communities’ Wii™ Volunteer program. Once every two weeks, high school students Anna Koelsch and Miriam Snyder visit Angie at Paul’s Place and play Wii games with her. Angie was excited to discover Miriam’s Wii cooking games.

“When we started volunteering with Angie in January, we had to teach her how to use the Wii controller and remind her which buttons to hold down,” said Anna. “She likes to do it by herself now.”

“The Wii is great because things in the game remind Angie of stories, and then she talks about those things,”
said Anna.

“Wii has been really good for Angie’s hand-eye coordination,” said Jodi. “Angie is also working on holding her head up; focusing on Wii games is helping that. But one of the best things about Wii is that Angie loves to socialize and loves one-on-one time with people, and playing Wii with Wii volunteers has provided this for her.” Angie also enjoys bowling and yoga breathing exercises on the Wii.

“We like to play Wii golf with Angie because it takes a long time, and we can talk while we play,” said Miriam. “It becomes social hour,” added Anna, “and Angie really loves to talk.” Angie smiled and said, “Anna and Miriam are good at Wii. They usually talk to me. They’re my friends.”

About Dakota Communities

Dakota Communities partners with people who have disabilities to realize their potential in their lives and communities. We provide residential and in-home services to people throughout the greater metropolitan area.

A small group of Dakota County parents and volunteers formed the non-profit organization in 1972, creating one of the first community-based residential facilities in Minnesota for children with developmental disabilities. As Dakota Communities has grown from one home in Dakota County to 32 homes in 18 communities in Minnesota, we have focused on good stewardship—­ stewardship of our organization, our relationships and our finances. More than 500 people work for Dakota Communities today. The vision of the organization, however, continues to be the same: to be a model of excellence in helping people with disabilities live, work, learn and play.

Respect of individual and family needs has been the philosophy of Dakota Communities from the beginning. Over time, a “person-centered program” was developed to emphasize what each person with disabilities wanted, needed and hoped for in his or her future.

Along the way, Dakota Communities has been recognized as one of the best providers in our field. We continue in our tradition of innovation and creativity – to develop new services that meet the changing needs of people with disabilities.