Patricia's Blog for February 2008


Monday, Feb. 25th

I am all about balance and organization!

Weekends for me, especially in the months prior to tournament time, are focused on primarily three things – doing a little work such as reading all the information that comes across my desk that I can’t get to during the week, taking care of my personal responsibilities – paying bills, housekeeping, grocery shopping and doing things for myself like going to church, working out or hanging out with friends or family. I learned a long time ago how important balance in your life should be when working through a hectic event season.

Today, I will be joining a team of people lead by our fabulous Operations Chairman, Gene Kincy. We will be organizing and inventorying the items in storage. It will be no small feat to accomplish but getting things in order now should make our move into Hardscrabble Country Club next month much smoother.

DAY 6 – Friday, Feb. 22nd

WOW what a week!!! How many ways can you spell BUSY? It was a highly productive week. One of the big accomplishments this week was the hiring of Lacey Dyer. She has been on the job just two days and has already made a difference. Thankfully, the Fort Smith Classic has been able to attract two young energetic additions to the team. Lacey joins Chelsea Eichler, the best graphic design intern ever – wait till the community sees the beautiful tickets, badges, parking pass & more that she has created. Daelene and I are so lucky & together WELCOME these ladies to the Tournament Office!!! Now let’s all get back to work... we have a fabulous tournament week to produce in just 72 days!

Thursday, Feb. 21st

As I rush about my day of calling on sponsors, following up on event details, checking e-mails and talking to PGA Headquarters, I am quickly brought back to the focus of why I do what I do…..for me it is primarily about helping children. Karen Carr from Children’s Service League just let my office. She always makes me tear up as she tells her stories about children who are served by this wonderful organization. Underneath my desk, are now two pairs of tennis shoes that Karen left for me to illustrate that there are kids in need and we are doing something about. One pair is brand new - ready for a child to step in to. A new pair of shoes or clothing does so much to enhance the quality of life for any human being especially when all they have is what they are wearing at the time. The other pair is so worn out that it is hard to believe that a child would ever want to or have to wear them. They belonged to a little boy that is much happier now thanks to the Fort Smith Classic and the Children’s Service League. Together we are making a difference!!!! Thank you for your support. There are children all over this area who thank you, too.

Wednesday, Feb. 20th

Today, was the monthly Board of Directors meeting. I am lucky to work for such a great group of dedicated individuals. The hours that many of them devote to the advancement of the Fort Smith Classic is admirable. Plus they are genuinely fun people, too!

VIEWER COMMENT: Nicely put together, but what would you expect except excellence from such a talented Lady as Patricia? –Chuck Andersen

Tuesday, Feb. 19th

Yesterday, was paper day! Yes, it takes a lot of paper to produce a truly successful tournament inside and out. The files, notebooks and spreadsheets created help keep the tournament staff and volunteers informed, on track and on time. Plus a paper trail is necessary in building a strong organizational infrastructure. I love spreadsheets the best. Once a new idea has hatched in my head, I head for the computer. Ask anyone that has ever worked with me. They will roll their eyes and teasingly say, “did she make another spreadsheet?” I just smile because I know when it gets crunch time and we are all working so hard and fast that we can not even think that they will be so happy to have the information contained on these spreadsheets!
Spreadsheets = stress relief

Monday, Feb. 18th

Three big things happened last Friday!

#1. Friday morning started with a meeting with a highly enthusiastic group! Monthly the Fort Smith Classic’s Charity Partners meet. Each time I get around people associated with any of the 5 Charity Partners, I get reenergized and reminded as to why the Fort Smith Classic is so very important. The Classic makes such a difference in the lives of children in this area of Arkansas. (check out the charities listed on this website) Each of the charities are so lucky to have in their organizations individuals like the ones I am lucky enough to get to work with. They are such dedicated professionals. Plus they are fun to be around!

#2. I lost my voice! Thankfully Daelene Brown – the very best assistant (Tournament Coordinator) ever!! She delivered sounds bites for me all day long. For the ones of you that know me, I am rarely left speechless and totally hate not being able to talk so having laryngitis is a handicap for me. There is a lot to say and do when it is so close to tournament time!!

#3. The NEW – beautiful – informative – Fort Smith Classic web-site was launched! YEAH!!! So much work went into developing what I hope is a much visited and useful tool. Tell everyone you know to take a look!! Thanks to Steve Marquez and Kevin Coney for all the hours of creative energy that it took to have such a cool site! I so appreciate them both.

Friday, Feb. 8th

Serving as the Fort Smith Classic’s Tournament Director is challenging, adventurous and rewarding! I invite you to check our cyberspace journals often. By doing so you will have a front row seat to the daily details that ultimately will bring about a successful Nationwide Tour tournament stop the week of May 5-11, 2008.

Today, the countdown to the Classic “officially” begins. Only 87 days till tee time!!! Yikes!!!

I moved back to Fort Smith and came on board as Tournament Director October 2007. Some of my friends in Memphis think I am crazy to leave a urban community I had lived in for 24 years to return to Arkansas. But I love Arkansas! Yes, moving is hard and sometimes I am lost on my way to an appointment thus running me a little late but even when I drive too far and have to wind around all the one way streets, I am smiling because I am lost in my home town. I love Fort Smith! Most all the people I have met have made me feel very welcomed and encouraged. Having my parents close helps, too. Mom’s homecookin’ is the best!

It takes a lot of people and sponsors to bring about an outstanding tournament week. Ever since my first day on the job, we have been on the fast track. While the Nationwide Tour is PGA Tour Driven, I am just plain ole’ DRIVEN. The players on the Nationwide Tour are on a Quest for their PGA TOUR Card and the tournament leadership team is on the quest to be the best tour spot on the Nationwide Tour. I invite you to join our quest to be the best…..get involved & join the fun!
Video: Click here to learn more about the Fort Smith Classic and our charities

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PATRICIA BROWN
Tournament Director

Since being named as the tournament director of the Fort Smith Classic in October, Patricia Brown has hit the ground running to insure that the 2008 tournament is not only a success, but one of the best in the event’s ten year history.

A Fort Smith native, Patricia is no stranger to fundraising and planning large events. She served as the capital campaign director for Porter Leath Children’s Center in Memphis, raising $1.25 million in her first year to build an emergency shelter for abused and neglected children.

Wanting to continue her work to help turn people’s dreams into reality, Patricia took over as the President and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South, Inc. Make-A-Wish is a charity that grants wishes to children with life-threatening conditions. When Patricia took over in 1992, the charity had $14,000 in the bank and was granting 50 wishes per year. After 12 years of tireless fundraising, the organization had an annual budget of $2.75 million and was granting more than 250 wishes per year.

Her work with Make-A-Wish drew Patricia to professional golfer John Daly. She convinced him to get involved with Make-A-Wish and in 2004 Patricia helped launch the John Daly Charitable Foundation as its new executive director. They raised more than $3 million for charity.

Patricia’s biggest challenge happened in 2005 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. While fighting the disease with chemotherapy, a mastectomy and radiation, she developed a staph infection that left her with a baseball size hole in her chest. Patricia endured months of painful surgeries and physical therapy, but never lost her positive outlook on life. “I just believed and I prayed. It was miraculous.” Today she is cancer free.

Patricia has one daughter, Amanda, who is a senior at Ole Miss. They both love to spend time together shopping, traveling, gardening, reading, attending church, or entertaining their friends.