The 15th Annual AKP Golf Classic, proudly presented by Homes by WestBay, was held October 19, 2026 at the Avila Golf & Country Club in Lutz, FL. It was a beautiful day on the course, full of fun, good sportsmanship, and good works.
We are proud to announce that this year’s tournament – our largest ever – surpassed our goal, raising over $145,000 to fund our programs that provide a safe home, daily essentials, and educational enrichment for the children in foster care we serve. The tournament hosted 31 foursomes.
The day began early as players checked in at Avila, with many returning players along with new faces, and then enjoying a breakfast sponsored by Gregory Celestan. As players caught up and planned for a banner day on the course, they picked up their Super Raffle wristbands sponsored by Lokey Charities, perused the tables of raffle items, sponsored by T2Greens Experience, grabbed their Boozy Cooler tickets sponsored by Landmark Engineering, and checked their sizes for their exclusive tee gifts from Flint & Field sponsored by Dale Hagedorn.
At 8:30am, the teams rallied around the putting green, enjoyed a brief program, emceed by long-time volunteers, Larry Tartaglino and Mike Bunkley. Board Chair and Homes by WestBay CFO, Beth Bradburn shared her why – her reasons for being so involved with A Kid’s Place in a heartfelt speech with group, followed by community volunteer and founder of Bay Food Brokerage, Cammie Chatterton, who also shared her inspirational story as to why she and her company remain connected to AKP.
Before heading to their carts, sponsored by Amalie Oil, the 122 players and other guests participated in a rousing live auction for rounds of golf at Black Diamond Ranch and Streamson, as well as a terrific Tampa Bay Lightning experience. The auction was followed by a meaningful round of Bid from the Heart – raising $60,000 in less than 10 minutes.
A special presentation was also made to five sponsors who have been with the Classic for all 15 years: Amalie Oil, The Bank of Tampa, CSI, Inc., Lokey Charities, and Steve & Gayle Ratcliff. Their enduring support as foundational partners with AKP provides countless resources for those in our care.
As the teams hit the the links, a variety of activities and challenges awaited them, only adding to the fun! There was something for everyone out on the course: On Hole 5, the Closest-to-the-Pin challenge sponsored by Mustard Seed Advisors of Raymond James, then the ever popular Dice Game on Hole 8, followed by the Chip-n-Grill challenge, sponsored by CSI, Inc. on Hole 10. Next came the Golf Ball Launcher, sponsored by Florida State Fence on Hole 11, and on Hole 16, the Longest Drive challenge, sponsored by DART Tech for both men and women. The Hole-in-One challenge, sponsored by The Bank of Tampa on hole 17 was the last on-course event, and finally the light and fun Putting Green Challenge, also sponsored by Amalie Oil.
Players kept hydrated with on-course stations and a roaming beverage cart sponsored by Adams Corp. Teams also stopped for a commemorative photo, also sponsored by CSI, Inc. Pin flags along the course were sponsored by A.D. Morgan and CMG Home Loans.
Upon completion of the course, teams rolled in to a hearty lunch, sponsored by Burgess Civil. Delicious food, beverage, and good conversation filled the clubhouse with a positive energy. Some players wound the day down with a cigar, sponsored by Florida Automotive Dealer Services. Raffle prizes were won, awards were handed out, and volunteers and participants were thanked for a wonderful day.
Congratulations to our tournament team winners Adams Corp, T2Greens, and Amalie Oil (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place respectively), as well as our contest winners, Bill Miller (Closest-to-the-Pin), Bill Balance (Launcher), Adam Varney (Men’s Longest Drive), Nicolette Van Pelt (Women’s Longest Drive), and Lucas Carpenter, who took home the grill along with a spontaneous donation of 2 propane tanks by new attendees, Propane Ninja.
Thank you to all of our participating teams (in alphabetical order): Acentria Insurance, Adams Corp., Amalie Oil, The Bank of Tampa, Bay Food Brokerage, Burgess Civil, Team Celestan, CSI, Inc., DART Tech, Ferguson Waterworks, Florida GMR, Florida State Fence, Team Fraga, Grow Financial, Team Hagedorn, Homes by WestBay, Lokey Automotive, Mustard Seed Advisors of Raymond James, Prosperity Tax Advisors, Team Ratcliff, and RSA Consulting
We would also like to thank our Hole Sponsors who couldn’t join us on the course that day, but wanted to be part of the event: C&C Window & Door Company, Dauntless Contracting, Freedom, and Synergy Florida.
The following organizations provided operational in-kind contributions that also contributed to the success of the event and we sincerely thank them as well: Avila Golf & Country Club, EPI, Event Heroes, Florida GMR, PhotoBob, and T-Mobile.
Special thanks to the following organizations and individuals who provided in-kind contributions to allow us to have a wonderful array of auction items, prizes, and raffle baskets to add to the fun: 1905 Family of Restaurants, Black Diamond Ranch, Jason Blanchard, Joe & Wendy Bonaddio, Tony & Beth Bradburn, Buckhorn Springs Golf & Country Club, Carrollwood Golf & Country Club, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, Chris Chatterton, Covelli Enterprises, Earthwise Pet Supply, Florida Aquarium, Glory Days, Hubbard’s Marina, Kenny’s Liquors, John & Dani Madrill, Manthey Hospitality/Lost Pearl, Bob & Mo Polo, Regalitea, Starbucks, Streamsong, Texas Roadhouse, The Bank of Tampa, Top Golf, TPC, Walk the Walk Pet Care, and Scott Wickham.
And lastly, but certainly not least, we thank our AKP Golf Classic Committee, who worked together alongside staff, for many months prior, putting together a memorable day for all: Brion Bailey, Mike Bunkley, Tony Fiorita, Terry McFatter, Samantha Rios, Tom Spangler, Larry Tartaglino and Sean Troyer.
A Kid’s Place is very grateful for its incredible community that supports us every day. Every one of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers contributes to making AKP such a special place, a place where kids, who find themselves in a rough place through no fault of their own, can find a loving, nurturing and safe environment to call home for this part of their journey.
