Thanks to a remarkable assist from the aura of Tiger Woods, Chris Stroud and his Hurricane Harvey “all-star committee” reached their goal of raising $1 million for victims of the late August storm’s disastrous flooding.

The exact bottom line for last week’s pro-am at Bluejack National in Montgomery is yet to be determined, but Stroud is confident the fundraiser surpassed its target. The Port Neches-Groves ex remains giddy over how smoothly such a big time event came together in less than three months.

“We did it,” said Stroud. “It was really unbelievable, just a dream come true. The dinner, the auction, the pro-am couldn’t have gone better. I was a little nervous going into the auction, but it was amazing. I am still trying to soak it all in.”

Woods, who seems committed to not only rebuilding his golf game but softening his image, indirectly put the financial goals over the top with his contribution to the auction. A playing lesson for two with Tiger at the Bluejack National course he designed raised a stunning $210,000.

For those slow at math, that’s slightly over 20 percent of the entire pre-tournament goal. Nobody, as has long been said in relation to Woods’ impact on PGA Tour TV ratings, moves the needle like Tiger.

“We didn’t know exactly what Tiger was going to do but we knew he would do something because of his connection to Bluejack,” said Stroud. “We thought he might play in the pro-am. Or come in and give a clinic.

“In the end, offering his time for a playing lesson probably helped more than anything he could have done. We had two different bids of $200,000, then one of them went to $210,000. Maybe this is the gateway to the new Tiger. I can’t wait to see him and personally thank him.”

Woods was one of numerous heroes — a list starting with Stroud and fellow pro Bobby Gates. The Houston Golf Association played a major role. So did Brian Naugle who runs the Champions Tour Insperity Invitational played at The Woodlands. Bluejack National provided its facilities and much more.

Then there was the Kirby Steakhouse in The Woodlands. It hosted roughly 175 pros, wives and pro-am contestants for a lavish Monday night dinner leading into the auction. Stroud estimated the cost would have been in the excess of $150,000 if the tab had not been covered.

“It was as nice as anything I have ever attended,” he said. “They spared no expense on drinks, fine wines, great steaks and providing staff. It really set an upbeat tone for an auction that raised right at $600,000.”

Among those in attendance was Houston Astros owner Jim Crane. Stroud’s new business partner showed up early to the dinner with the World Series trophy in tow and talked baseball and golf with guests throughout the evening.

Crane also sponsored a pro-am team, as well as contributing a high dollar auction item at his Floridian Golf Club and a Jose Altuve signed jersey.

“I can’t say enough about what a great guy Jim Crane is,” said Stroud. “He is so proud of that World Series trophy and wants to share it as much as he can. I played nine holes in the pro-am with him and he told me how impressed he was with what we had pulled off. That made me feel really good.”

In the aftermath, Stroud is anxious to move on the next step of helping select Harvey victims who receive one of the pro-am’s checks for $25,000.

He wants the checks to go out as soon as possible and reiterated that people impacted by Harvey in Jefferson County impacted are eligible.

Those who think they might qualify should fill out an application at www.harveyreliefproam.org.

Meanwhile, Chris will get to spent his 36th Christmas deeply savoring the joy of giving.
CHIP SHOTS

Another golf course in Southeast Texas has gone out of business.

Iron Oaks, which came into being as Rabbit Run in 1995, closed its doors last week. The Beaumont layout, located near Brentwood Country Club, was designed by the late Johnnie Barlow Sr.

Iron Oaks was co-owned and operated for years by Roger Foster, son of former Lamar basketball coach Pat Foster. It joins Belle Oaks, The Palms at Pleasure Island, the Pea Patch, Riverwood, DERA, and the Links nine at Bayou Din as area courses shut down in the past decade …

Another closing, though not in the Golden Triangle, has forced a change in the 5A Region III high school tournament. Played at River Ridge Golf Club in Sealy the past few years, the regional has been moved to La Torretta Golf Club on Lake Conroe.

La Torretta, which used to be known as Del Lago Golf Club, will host a Feb. 2-3 Regional Preview Tournament to give teams a look at the course they will be trying to earn a trip to state on in April. Teams from Port Neches-Groves and Nederland are expected to participate.

River Ridge, a 27-hole layout west of Houston designed by Jay Rivere, opened in 1998. It did not survive massive Hurricane Harvey flooding …
Rain, saturated fairways and cold once again took a toll on the daily games at Babe Zaharias. One game that did get played, and met the minimum criteria for reporting, was the Thursday Seniors, which was contested in a handicapped, stroke play format.

Harrell Guidry won First Flight with a 69, edging Rick Pritchett by two strokes. In Second Flight, there was a tie at 69 between Mike Parker and Raymond Darbonne. James Trahan won Third Flight with a 73, besting Larry Rogers by two shots.

Closest to the pin winners were Benny Sharpe (No. 2), Bobby Wactor (No. 7), Bim Morrow (No. 12) and Cap Hollier (No. 15).
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