PRIOR EVENTS
The EAGLES Foundation is made possible by the generous support of businesses and individuals throughout our community and beyond.
2024 EAGLES Classic
Saugahatchee Country Club hosted the 6th annual EAGLES Foundation Classic on a buautiful (rescheduled) October afternoon. We welcomed old and new teams to a wonderful day of golf on the Plains. The Auburn University Cheerleaders and Aubie helped us welcome all of our guests to the tournament. It was a treat to have current EAGLES, EAGLES Alums, and EAGLES Staff join in the fun.
Coach Butch Thompson, along with EAGLES student, Kyle Merberger, motivated the crowd and got the golfers ready to play. Coach Bruce Pearl introduced our Student Support Challenge and encouraged the golfers to help us meet our goal. Coach Kim Evans was once again the MC for the Wiregrass Construction Company Putting Contest where Crawford Tatum, Diana Ramage and Blake Messerly were the winners.
During the tournament at the turn, golfers and guests helped sponsor EAGLES students during our Student Scholarship Challenge while being entertained with tunes by EAGLES Alum, "The EAGLE on WEGL," Bradley Basden. Our golf winners were: Jonah Slider (Longest Drive), Fred Blatchford (Closest to Pin), Third Place went to Byrons/Baumhauers (Kevin Tudhope, Kevin Gaston, Wade Bennett, Trey Ayers)Trip Griswold, Second Place finishers were Stifel (Mason Pressley, Scot Crosswhite, Bill Browning, Fox David), and First Place went to Kim Evans, Jonah Slider, Diana Ramage and Audra Prince. As always, the true winners were the EAGLES students and their families who will receive scholarships thanks to the generosity of all of the sponsors and golfers this year.
2024 Eagles Foundation Gala
The Grand Bohemian was host to the Inaugural EAGLES Foundation Gala in February. As the guests entered, they rang the Champagne Wall bell to receive a glass to toast the evening. Guests browsed the Silent Auction items on display, then moved into the courtyard where they mingled and took photographs with Aubie and several raptors from Auburn University.
The evening continued with dinner, special words from AU President Chris Roberts, and video tributes to EAGLES students Grace Davis and J.J. Johnson and their families. The SOAR Award was presented by EAGLES Alum, Bradley Basden, to the person who has dedicated their time and treasures to support The EAGLES Foundation since its inception. The 2024 SOAR Award recipient was Joey Pierson.
The fun continued with a LIVE Auction where guests bid on trips to St. Barths, The Grand Canyon, The U.S. Open Tennis Championship, The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Golf in Monterey, Charleston, and Italy to experience a Ferrari Fantasy.
Katie Basden, TEF Board Member and parent of an EAGLES graduate, shared the impact of the EAGLES program on her family and why she, Denise Slupe and Sarah Newton founded The EAGLES Foundation in 2019. She also shared scholarships and other financial contributions the Foundation has awarded to the EAGLES and the Eagles Program since its inception.
The guests generously responded during the Pledging Moment to help raise over $300,000 in scholarships for the families of current and future EAGLES students. The evening was topped off by a band party where guests danced the night away to tunes by OPOV.
2023 EAGLES Classic
Saugahatchee Country Club was excited to welcome the 5th annual EAGLES Foundation Classic to their beautiful course. We welcomed old and new teams to a wonderful day of golf on the Plains on a beautiful October afternoon. The Auburn University Cheerleaders and Aubie helped us welcome all of our guests to the tournament. It was a treat to have current EAGLES, EAGLES Alums, and EAGLES Staff join in the fun.
Coach Butch Thompson, who has supported our tournament every year, along with EAGLES student, D'Vonte Morris, motivated the crowd and got the golfers ready to play. Coach Bruce Pearl introduced our Student Support Challenge and encouraged the golfers to help us meet our goal. Coach Kim Evans was once again the MC for the Wiregrass Construction Company Putting Contest and celebrated this year's winner, Jack Brown.
During the tournament at the turn, golfers and guests helped sponsor EAGLES students during our Student Scholarship Challenge. Thanks to amazingly generous participation, we were able to meet the challenge and sponsor all of the students represented. Our golf winners were: Connor Jones (Longest Drive), Doug Caldwell (Closest to Pin), Third Place went to Altec (Trip Griswold, Mason Seaborn, Sam Wilcox and Griffin Stevens), Second Place finishers were SouthState Bank (David Reaves, Troy Godwin, Prather Reaves, Connor Jones), and First Place went to Synergy (Jim Carson, Paul Howard , Bret Eddins, Greg Parrish). As always, the true winners were the EAGLES students and their families who will receive scholarships thanks to the generosity of all of the sponsors and golfers this year.
2022 EAGLES Classic
The Auburn University Club was host to the 4th annual EAGLES Foundation Classic. We welcomed old and new teams to a wonderful day of golf on the Plains on a beautiful October afternoon. After a delicious lunch provided by Byron's Barbecue, the Auburn University Cheerleaders started off the festivities with a few cheers with the EAGLES. It was a treat to have many current EAGLES, EAGLES Alums, and EAGLES Staff join in the fun.
Coach Butch Thompson, who has supported our tournament every year, motivated the crowd and got the golfers ready to play. Coach Kim Evans was the MC for the Wiregrass Construction Company Putting Contest and celebrated with the winner from Team D'Vonte, Dr. Brett Basden, who graciously donated his winnings back to the foundation.
After a wonderful round of golf, Gary Godfrey, a former AU Basketball player battling ALS, and his lovely wife, joined the group as Gary shared a motivational message encouraging everyone to make today their best day!
Our golf winners were: Dowe Aughtman (Longest Drive), Frank Slupe (Closest to Pin), Third Place went to Synergy Labs (Jim Carson, Jeremy Ingalls, Bret Eddins, Thomas Norris), Second Place finishers were SouthState Bank (David Reaves, Troy Godwin, Prather Reaves, Charlie Wilson), and First Place went to Central States Wire Products (Pat Haugh, Bob Slupe, Randy Keller, Christian Slupe). But the true winners were the EAGLES students and their families who will receive scholarships thanks to the generosity of all of the sponsors this year.
2021 EAGLES Classic
The 3rd annual EAGLES Classic took place on a beautiful Friday fall afternoon at the Auburn University Club. This year’s tournament Corporate Sponsor was Nick Davis and Momma G’s Deli. Golfers were greeted by Aubie and several EAGLES students during registration, and then enjoyed a delicious box lunch provided by J. Davis and Country Club of Auburn. Coach Butch Thompson welcomed the guests before the competition heated up at the Wiregrass Construction Putting Contest between Team Andrew, Team Bradley, Team D’Vonte, Team Kyle, and Team Philip. The youngest player in the field, Prather Reaves, from Team D’Vonte, sunk his championship putt to take home the cash (which he graciously donated back to The EAGLES Foundation). The teams jumped in their carts and headed to their holes for the shotgun start. After a wonderful afternoon of competition, Trip Griswold, Griffin Stevens, Mason Seaborn and Clay Branch took the prize for 3rd place, Rick Stukes, Larry Thorne, Mike Lewis and Chris Williams came in 2nd place, and Randy Campbell, Jimmy Bassett, Chad Prewett and Jeff Reese came in 1st place.
The closest to the hole on #17 was Chris Williams. The Post Party, sponsored by The Broadway Group, welcomed the golfers with delicious food and drinks as they came off the course. Special thanks to Jimmy Green and the staff of the AU Club for generously allowing The EAGLES Foundation to have the tournament in Auburn. We are also grateful to Ernie Merritt (Coke) and Linda Clark (Premium Beverage) for supplying the beverages for the event.
The highlight of the day came when Coach Bruce Pearl joined with Joey Pierson to challenge the group to raise the most money ever in an EAGLES Classic Tournament. Supporting the EAGLES students with scholarships and support is the true reason this amazing group of men and women came together for an unforgettable day.
The teams gathered on the patio of the old Pro shop to await the scores while enjoying a Mexican Fiesta. The ALTEC team of Trip Griswold, Griffin Stevens, Clay Branch and Sam Wilcox took first place. Coming in second place was the Peoples Bank team comprised of David Wood, Houston Holmes, Jason Baxley and Bob Richardson. Basden Eyecare team members Brett Basden, Robbie Farquhar, Keith Jones and Joey Pierson came in third place. Special recognition goes to Bob Dumas for the longest drive and Randy Keller for the hole-in-one on the 13th hole. Closing remarks for the tournament were by made by Board Member Sarah Newton and Coach Bruce Pearl. As only he can, Coach Pearl motivated the crowd to join him to raise at additional $15,000 with a generous matching donation from Joey Pierson helping the EAGLES Foundation shatter their goal for support raised for scholarships through this tournament.
2020 EAGLES Classic
A beautiful sunny day welcomed 88 golfers to the 2nd annual EAGLES Classic golf tournament at Shoal Creek Golf Club. The golfers were fueled by a continental breakfast in tht Old Pro Shop Clubhouse before heading to the range and putting green to warm up. The friendly competition started with the annual putting contest. Golfers surrounded the fringe of the putting green and simultaneously took aim for the lucky hole. Congrats to Ricky Stukes and Corey Daughtry who BOTH landed balls in the hole.
Shoal Creek member Greg Lee kicked off the tournament and Coach Butch Thompson energized and encouraged the crowd with his gracious support of the EAGLES Foundation. Board member Katie Basden shared the Foundation's background and goals and thanked the golfers and sponsors for the life-changing support that their scholarships will give to the EAGLES Students. With personal caddies in tow, the teams set out for a wonderful day of golf on an impeccable course. At the turn, golfers were treated to a famous "ham dog" and sausage dog picnic lunch. Coach Bruce Pearl joined in the fun and was auctioned off to play nine holes with two different teams. Other special Auburn guests included Coach Chad Prewett, former women's golf coach Kim Evans and Board of Trustee members Bob Dumas and Mike Demoribus.
KICKOFF PARTY AT HUDSONS HOME
The home of Tim and Kim Hudson provided a beautiful backdrop for the Kickoff Party to introduce The EAGLES Foundation to the Auburn Family. Friends traveled from across Alabama and Georgia to learn about the EAGLES program and the private nonprofit launching to provide scholarships
and support for these exceptional students.
2019 EAGLES Classic
Shoal Creek Golf Club provided the backdrop for The EAGLES Foundation's first EAGLES Classic golf tournament. The goal of the tournament is to raise awareness and support to be able to provide scholarships for the students in the EAGLES program at Auburn University.
Eighty golfers joined together for a great day of golf and a successful start to the fundraising efforts for the foundation.