Fish, Golf & Run
Chris Sifford Memorial Foundation
Friends and family established the Chris Sifford Memorial Foundation in 2001 to ensure that his memory lives on by providing scholarships for young people interested in careers in journalism or public service. Approximately $100,000 has been raised to establish endowment funds at Chris' alma mater
As of June 2008, more than $53,000 has been donated toward scholarships for students attending
In addition to the Day at the Ballpark, the foundation hosts an annual Sifford Scramble in
All proceeds from Sifford Day at the Ballpark event will go to the scholarship fund at
Sifford grew up in the southeast
Sifford had moved from the Governor’s office to his campaign staff for Carnahan’s 2000 U.S. Senate bid. He was traveling with Gov. Carnahan in a Cessna 335 piloted by Randy Carnahan when the plane crashed during inclement weather on Oct. 16, 2000, in
“Those of us involved in organizing this event are deeply touched by the continued support of the many individuals who join us in ensuring that Chris’ legacy lives on through the Foundation,” said Brown, a Sifford family relative who lives in Springfield. “Chris was more than a cousin to me. He was someone who I looked up to – someone who touched lives and continues to do so today through the generosity of everyone involved.”
June - 2010
This event raises scholarship funds to honor the memory of Chris Sifford, a former
“Chris had all of the good qualities that people strive for in life. He showed love, passion, authenticity and humor in everything that he did,” said Clayton Brown, chairman of Chris Sifford Day at the Ballpark. “We hope that the community will join us again this year in celebration of his memory and his life.”
The registration fee for the Walk/Run is $20 in advance and $25 on race day. Participants will receive one free ticket to the Springfield Cardinals game that evening against the Tulsa Drillers (start time 6:10 p.m.) and a three quarter sleeve t-shirt. Trophies will be awarded for the top three finishers in each age category. The
Dear Friends & Golfers:
August - 2010
The Tenth Annual Sifford Scramble, a golf tournament benefiting the Chris Sifford Memorial Scholarship Foundation, will be held on Friday, Aug. 6, with a noon shotgun start at Eagle Knoll Golf Course near Jefferson City in central Missouri. Please mark your calendars now and plan to join us for a day of fun, friendship, food, reminiscing and – oh yes – golf, as we raise scholarship funds in Chris’ memory for students attending his alma mater, Missouri State University (MSU), and the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU).
To be honest, most of us never thought we’d be holding the Sifford Scramble nearly 10 years after losing our dear friend in the ill-fated flight with the Carnahans. A lot has changed since then. However, one thing remains the same for most of us – our memory of a guy who always saw the bright side and made us all feel good on a regular basis, Chris Sifford. We continue to celebrate his life and memory by remembering Chris’ friendship, witty personality and positive influence … and by maintaining our friendships with one another.
The golf tournament has flourished because we all recognize that Chris was an exceptional person with an indomitable spirit of kindness, of caring, of service to others. A man with an impish grin and mischievous sense of humor who wore his life’s priorities like a snappy dress shirt he starched and pressed himself: love of God, family and friends first, then – in no particular order – the St. Louis Cardinals, reruns of “Andy Griffith” and “Seinfeld,” and heaping helpings of Springfield Cashew Chicken. Help us celebrate his life and remember that 10 years ago we all had a special person in our life whose values influenced us all. It will be a good time, and you will add another memory to those we hope you treasure about Chris. Chris was the kind of person we want our sons and daughters to grow up to be. In short, the kind of guy we simply don’t want to forget.
Thanks to the generosity of Sifford Scramble participants and other contributors, $118,000 has been donated to establish endowments to fund annual scholarships in Chris’ name at MSU and MU. To date, $1,000 scholarships have been awarded to 19 students majoring in journalism or communications. Chris, a strong education proponent, would be so proud that his friends and family saw fit to raise money in his name and help young Missourians get a college education.
Not a golfer? Please plan to attend the dinner and raffle drawings following the golf tournament on Aug. 6 at Eagle Knoll, located at 5757 E. Eagle Knoll Drive in Hartsburg. It’s a great opportunity to see old friends and meet people who were touched by Chris in some way. If you can’t attend this year’s scramble, but want to contribute, consider sponsoring a hole or making a donation to the Chris Sifford Memorial Scholarship Foundation. Contributions are tax deductible. To learn more about the foundation or to download a registration form for the golf tournament, visit our Web site at www.siffordmemorial.com.
Thank you for supporting the Tenth Annual Sifford Scramble!
Sincerely,
The Sifford Scramble Tournament Chairs
Joe Bednar
Jerry Nachtigal
Paul Potthoff
Sue Sifford
Roy Temple