Signal Peak Silica became determined to help the golf teams at Watonga and Clinton high schools. To do that, it seemed natural to hold a golf tournament. The site was Roman Nose State Park golf course.
J.R. Hock, warehouse manager for Signal Peak at Oakwood, decided instead of reaching out to the local businesses who are already supporting much of what goes on in small towns, they would tap into their business partners outside the local area. Some of those partners are not just national, but international companies.
Hock also approached the Watonga Lions Club about cooking a meal to serve the participants. He would have the ingredients and cooker on hand to use and at the end of the event, if there were enough donations, the tournament would donate to the Lions Club as well.
Early hopes were to give each school about $4,000 and the Lions Club $1200.
The owners of Signal Peak Silica flew Hock down to Houston to pick up its shiny new smoker-cooker and have him drive back in a company pickup towing the behemoth. The Roman Nose event was the inaugural use of the cooker.
The companies that did business with Signal Peak came in clutch. The donations were enough that the schools each received $6,000. There was enough cash donated the day of the tournament to donate $4,000 to the Lions Club. That check was presented October 1.
Hock hopes the money will do more than outfit high school golfers with clubs and matching outfits. He wants to build a population of student athletes who continue in their sport long after their high school careers are over.
The superintendent of Watonga Public Schools appreciated the work put in and benefits reaped by the students.
“The Signal Peak Silica golf tournament is an incredible opportunity for our young athletes,” he wrote. “The funding that was generated from this event will go a long way in enhancing the experience for our student golfers at Watonga Public Schools, providing them with better resources, equipment, and opportunities to grow both on and off the course. We’re grateful for the continued support from Signal Peak Silica and all the participants who are making a difference in the lives of our students.”
While making the presentation, Hock gave the Lions Club the heads up that it is the company’s intent to make the tourney an annual event and it is also looking forward to finding more ways to use Lion Club manpower and Signal Peak’s cooker to raise funds and improve the community.