PGA Golfer, Zach Johnson grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and now he is giving back to the children in a big way. In July 2010, Zach and his wife, Kim, founded the Zach Johnson Foundation.
The Zach Johnson Foundation supports Cedar Rapids schools and also started a program called Kids on Course. Kids on Course (KOC) is an after-school and summer program that combines learning with fun activities. Due to Kids on Course, many children are focused on being college-bound. KOC is currently in three elementary schools and two middle schools.
Zach also started the Zach Johnson Foundation Classic (ZJFC), in which all the proceeds from the ZJFC will go to support the Kids on Course program. The classic took place June 27, 2016, at the Elmcrest Country Club where a free event for all was held, with all the families of the children that participate in Kids on Course joining in on the action as well!
Before starting the classic, Zach and other participants came by to talk and sign autographs for the KOC that came. Zach even joined the kids in releasing balloons to start the classic.
Golfers that joined Zach in playing in the classic were Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, John Daly, Azahara Muñoz, Jordan Neibrugge, Ryan Palmer, Gerina Piller, Patrick Rodgers, Sarah Jane Smith, Mark Wilson Mallory Blackwelder, Ryan Brehm, Sara Brown, Carlota Ciganda, Jim Furyk, and Denny McCarthy.
Two former University of Iowa football players were in attendance as well. Dallas Clark, who played nine seasons for the Indianapolis Colts after finishing his Unversity career in 2002. As well as, Danan Hughes, who went on to play six seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs. Danan is now a commentator and sports analyst for the Big 10 Network.
Zach was also joined by two Iowa born celebrities. Riley Smith, who is an actor and a singer. Riley has recently been on HBO’s True Blood and ABC’s Nashville. His most noteworthy credits were in the films Radio and Christmas in Conway. Riley will also in CW’s Frequency starting this fall. In addition to Chris Soules, who was on season ten of ABC’s The Bachelor. He also appeared on Dancing with the Stars and Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition.
Other celebrities that also joined Zach were Alfonso Ribeiro, Al Robertson, Willie Robertson, Chris Tomlin and Ben Higgins. Alfonso played Carlton on The Fresh Price of Bel-Air. Most recently, he was the winner of Dancing with the Stars season nineteen and is currently hosting ABC’s America’s Funniest Home Videos. Furthermore, Alfonso wife, Angela is from Winfield, Iowa. Al and Willie both star on A&E series, Duck Dynasty. Chris is contemporary Christian musician. Ben was on season sixteen of ABC’s The Bachelorette.
In conclusion, the 6th annual Zach Johnson Foundation Classic was the biggest yet. The city of Cedar Rapids handed about almost eight thousand tickets and over six thousand people showed up for the classic. As a result, raised almost one million dollars to benefit the Kids on Course program.
Thank you Cedar Rapids & all of Iowa! Roughly $950,000 for @KidsonCourseCR! #dreamBIG Grateful for your support and love…caring 4 our own.
— Zach Johnson (@ZachJohnsonPGA) June 28, 2016
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