"Frient of Ben Watkins" Golf Tournament

BEN WATKINS MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNMENT TO BENEFIT RODEHEAVER BOYS RANCH

Palatka, FL – The fourth annual Friends of Ben Watkins Golf Event is scheduled for April 28, and promises to be even bigger and better than the first three years. The tournament will once again take place at the spectacular Palencia Country Club as a tribute to Ben Watkins, and was the idea of Ben’s father-in-law, Larry Johnson. Rodeheaver Boys Ranch was chosen as the charity because of Ben’s association with and love for the ranch and its mission to needy boys. Ben became acquainted with Rodeheaver when his father, Steve Watkins, became Director of Ranch Life there.

Ben Watkins is remembered for his amazingly positive impact on people, including the boys and staff at the ranch. Ben’s roommate, UNF baseball teammate and close friend is Chris Snow, who is now president of Rebate Realty Services in Mandarin and lives at Palencia. Chris assists with the organization of the Friends of Ben Watkins Charity Golf Event. He is also a title sponsor.

Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, the charity so dear to Ben’s heart, is a full time foster home for boys, who for a variety of reasons need a home, guidance, education and love. Rodeheaver is the oldest youth ranch in Florida, founded in 1950 by musical evangelist and composer, Homer Rodeheaver. It fulfilled his lifelong dream of a home for displaced, deserving boys.

The 790-acre ranch sits on the banks of the St. Johns River, a beautiful location and an ideal place to bring up growing boys. It is a working ranch with cattle, horses, hayfields and lots of space and the boys learn to work at the barn, or with grounds maintenance, assisting the ranch mechanic or working in the main kitchen with meals and cleanup. When it’s time for recreation the river affords good fishing and canoeing, and other activities include horseback training and riding, camping (they have their own Boy Scout troop and 4-H Club) and there is also a swimming pool.

This charity is one that Ben and all those now involved in this event find worthy of support. If you want to learn more about the Palencia event or the ranch, contact Steve Watkins at (386) 328-1281, Larry Johnson at 1-800-745-0945 or Chris Snow at (904) 545-1746.