More Than A Game: River Creek Golf Tournament Draws Community Support for Sprout

Written by William Anderson

River Creek Club hosted the 12th annual Sprout on the Green charity golf tournament last Monday. Thirty-two foursomes participated in the 18-hole competition. “What I like about the tournament is that we are all here for Sprout,” one player said. “We are all Team Sprout.” The event raises an average of $80,000. “It’s amazing to see so many great people that want to spend their time supporting others,” says Brooke Waldron, the executive director and founder of the Sprout Center.

Sprout was created to offer equine-centered therapy and education to individuals with severe disabilities, such as Down syndrome or cerebral palsy. The center supports around 185 riders a week, with 24 horses, 20 staff members, and more than 100 volunteers. Sprout was created in 2009 to honor the memory of entrepreneur Richard Bacas, who was paralyzed after contracting polio in 1944. The organization was named Sprout to recognize its grassroots movement and its striving for growth.

Sprout relies entirely on charitable donations. Sprout on the Green is one of three big fundraisers Waldron organizes every year to keep Sprout operational. But it is more than just a tournament; Waldron wants participants to know what they are supporting. The day kicked off with Sprout’s impact video detailing the individual stories of people the organization has helped. Longtime Sprout rider Lucy Dubois, who has Down syndrome, sang the national anthem.

“Sometimes when you go to an event, you’re not totally sure what you’re supporting,” Waldron says, “but everyone very much knows why they’re here.” Many golfers were familiar with Sprout, and some had even volunteered for them in the past. “Golfing is always great, but it is even better when you are golfing for a reason,” one competitor said. Another said he was “moved to tears” by Dubois when she sang the national anthem. A participant who has been coming since 2019 says it is his “favorite day of the year.”

River Creek Club has hosted the tournament every year since it began in 2013. Waldron says one of her favorite parts of the event is the sense of a unified community coming together to support a shared cause. “Most of the people that come are corporate sponsors, whether it’s government contracting firms, banks, small businesses, or realtors,” Waldron says. Lindsay Volkswagen has sponsored the tournament for years by offering a hole-in-one car. On hole 5, if a golfer makes a hole in one, they win a car valued at $50,000. The hole is watched meticulously by Dave Jerome, a volunteer. He records all the shots and presents his data at the dinner reception in what is called “the Holy Report.” He says, “This year’s competitors were above average.” Holly Johns, golfing for R & S Services, was the closest of all the women, at 9 feet and 5 inches away from the hole. Rajeeb Mainali, golfing for SumX, was the closest of the men, at 2 feet and 9 inches. The Double Wood Farm team won the tournament.

“The cool thing about Sprout is you can be golfing one day and see exactly where your money is going the next. We are open all the time, and anyone can volunteer,” Waldron says. At dinner, Sprout rider Jessie Beatty shared her personal testimony of how Sprout has impacted her life. This year, Sprout on the Green raised $79,545. “The goal is that when someone leaves the tournament, they love Sprout,” Waldron says. “I think the most rewarding thing is seeing that happen.” ML

Photos courtesy of Brooke Waldon.

Posted on: July 1, 2026