Registration opens for 2016 Takeaway Tourettes Charity Golf Tournament

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Golfers are preparing to tee off in teal to support the Tourette Association of America — Texas Chapter during the Takeaway Tourettes Charity Golf Tournament Nov. 7 in master-planned Woodforest.

Registration has opened for the fundraiser, which will be held at Woodforest Golf Club, 1199 Fish Creek Thoroughfare in Montgomery. Forms can be downloaded from the Woodforest Takeaway website. This is the second year for the event, which gives 100 percent of the proceeds to the Tourette Association of America — Texas Chapter. The association raises funds for research into Tourette Syndrome, a disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations that usually becomes evident in early childhood or adolescence.

The first tournament was held last October and raised approximately $45,000 for the Tourette Association of America — Texas Chapter as a result of efforts by local teen Reese Wilson, a youth ambassador for the National Tourette Syndrome Association, to raise awareness of the disease.

His grandfather Virgil Yoakum, general manager of Woodforest, Jeana and Roby Wilson of MAXXIMEDIA Advertising Co., Tourette’s advocate Tammy Schroder of Veritas Title Partners, and Amanda Murphy of Woodforest assisted him.

“Reese is an amazing young man,” Yoakum said. “He has really put his heart into this, and it was gratifying to see the community come together on the Woodforest golf course for such a great cause. Going forward, I believe it will continue to be a huge success.”

This year, the event includes lunch and heavy hors d’oeuvres after play is finished. Players will have the opportunity to participate in raffles and win prizes for the longest drive and closest to the pin. Retailers offering gift items from Alex & Ani, Kendra Scott and Vineyard Vines also will be at the event, with part of the proceeds benefitting the Tourette Association of America — Texas Chapter.

Although Tourette Syndrome was once thought to be rare, the Tourette Association of America estimates that one out of every 160 children between the ages of 5-17 in the United States has the disorder. One in 100 are boys.

“The statistics are just staggering when you think about it,” Yoakum said. “That’s what is wonderful about this tournament. We are raising both awareness and the money to support research into Tourettes.”

The Woodforest Golf Club is a 27-hole championship golf course featuring a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse with a restaurant, full-service bar and a pro shop within the top-selling master-planned community.