Seventh Annual Million Dollar Hole-in-One Golf Shootout Raises Funds for SFSC Panther Athletics

Jan. 16, 2024 – After the South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation’s seventh annual Million Dollar Hole-in-One Golf Shootout, sponsored by Bill Jarrett Ford, on Saturday, Jan. 13, no one won the $1 million, but Kyle Braxton was the sole golfer who landed his ball on the green at 24’ 7” from the hole and winning $750. The event raised $11,551 for SFSC’s athletic programs.

This year, golfers swung in wet and cold conditions to qualify during the three-day Golf Shootout that began on Thursday, Jan. 11, and was held at Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club in Sebring. Despite the weather conditions, 94 people turned out to vie for the $1 million prize. Golfers included 12 from out-of-state, two from outside the country, and 12 women, the highest female participation in the event’s history.  

The golfers who rounded out the group of 12 qualifiers were: Tod Phillips, Steve Sortore, Ricky Weppler, Michael Thayer, Chris Pingel, Mike Nelson, Kyle Braxton, Richard Sinclair, Rodger Dowe, Tom Kestler, Michael Kelly, and Bill Parrett. Tod Phillips hit a hole-in-one during day two of the qualifying rounds.  

“The 2024 SFSC Foundation’s Million Dollar Hole-in-One Golf Shootout sponsored by Bill Jarrett Ford was again an outstanding event,” said Rick Hitt, SFSC athletic director. “Thank you to our sponsors, to our volunteers, and of course to our outstanding participants who came out each day regardless of the weather to get themselves on the leaderboard. We continue to be blessed to live in a community that supports so many different events and the Million Dollar Shootout is no exception. SFSC Athletics is extremely grateful for the proceeds from this event to assist in all aspects of the Panther athletic program. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue hosting this event and look forward to 2025 with great anticipation.” 

Proceeds from the golf shootout benefit SFSC Panther athletic teams in women’s volleyball, women’s cross country, men’s baseball, and women’s softball. SFSC’s student-athletes assisted throughout the Golf Shootout. 

For more information on the event or how to become a sponsor for next year’s Golf Shootout, contact the SFSC Foundation at 863-453-3313. 

AVON PARK, Fla.–May 28, 2015–Jamie Bateman has been named executive director for institutional advancement to include oversight of the South Florida State College Foundation, Inc.

In that role, she will work directly with the Foundation board members and SFSC’s leadership team to oversee the Foundation’s fundraising efforts to support the continued growth of the college.

Bateman begins her tenure at the SFSC Foundation on July 1 and follows Donald Appelquist who retires on June 30 after 45 years of service with SFSC and the SFSC Foundation.

“Institutional advancement is critical, and Jamie is key to leading us to embrace new and exciting opportunities,” SFSC President Thomas C. Leitzel said. “She is a skilled leader who understands the importance of building a better community through a strong educational underpinning. The legacy established through the stellar accomplishments of Don Appelquist will continue through Jamie’s leadership.”

Bateman is currently the executive director for the Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center Foundation, where she has worked since 2003. While in that position, she assisted in raising over $4 million in donations for the Foundation. She helped secure the largest donation and naming opportunity in Florida Hospital Heartland’s history—for the Jarrett Family Blessed Beginnings Birthing Center. She led a $500,000 capital campaign from which Florida Hospital Heartland’s Sebring campus obtained equipment to grow its Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

On Bateman’s watch and in conjunction with Jarrett Ford, Florida Hospital Heartland received national recognition from Ford Motor Company for surpassing the number participating in a single event for the company’s Drive 4 Your Community program. The hospital foundation’s event, Kruisin’ 4 Kids, raised funds for its pediatric unit.

“It is an exciting time to be a part of the South Florida State College’s Foundation board,” said Christy Crews, president, SFSC Foundation Board of Directors. “The college is celebrating its 50th anniversary by remembering its history as it looks forward to the future. We are currently acknowledging the retirement of Don Appelquist, as the executive director of the SFSC Foundation, who truly represents the great history of the Foundation. We are also excited about our future as Jamie Bateman honors us by accepting the executive director position. It is with much enthusiasm that I welcome Jaime to the SFSC Foundation family and look forward to the passion she radiates about our community.”

“I’m humbled and honored to accept the executive director over the SFSC Foundation,” Bateman said. “This is a rewarding and exciting opportunity, and I look forward to partnering with the community to strengthen existing friendships and building new relationships.”

A native of Sebring, Bateman is a graduate of Webber International University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. She earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University.