Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation

The Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation was established in 2000 to create an endowment that benefits children of South Carolina through education and supports school music programs nationwide.

Darius Rucker, Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, Dean Felber and Mark Bryan have embraced their success and shared the benefits of their fortuitous career with the community that supports them. By establishing a foundation, Hootie and the Blowfish is creating an opportunity for grants to benefit the education of South Carolina’s children into the future.

It is the band’s desire to provide musical and educational opportunities to children who may not have a strong family or community advocates. Mark Bryan, guitarist for Hootie and the Blowfish says, “The Foundation enables us to be proactive for the charities we are passionate about. The foundation becomes a viable resource that enables us to help people at anytime.”

By establishing the Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation Fund, the members of the band are able to invest proceeds from their annual Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am golf tournament, as well as any other fund raisers in which they participate. When they are ready to give to causes such as the annual “VH-1’s Save the Music” or a local educational projects, like the Family Learning Center in Timmonsville, SC, they can direct the amount and the recipient of the donation. Along with the Governor’s office, the band will continue to research and fund programs and school districts in need.

The children in our state are our best resource and our most hopeful investment, and Hootie and the Blowfish know that by making effective grants they can motivate and assist kids to become great community contributors. With an economy as powerful as ours, and with the resources at our disposal, money should be the last thing that deprives a child of a quality education. With proper funding children can receive an education that prepares them for adulthood. In addition, children should have the exposure and benefit that music can bring to education - the enhancement of math skills, the mastery of an instrument, the appreciation of accomplishment, and the reward of hard work.


The South Carolina Junior Golf Association

The South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation's mission is to establish the funding necessary to continually create new opportunities for South Carolina's youth through education and recreation, as well as, maintain and expand existing junior golf programs.

Over $600,000 since 1996 has been given in scholarships with over $40,000 annually to SC youth for SC institutes of higher education. Additional programs funded by the SCJGF would total annually around $40,000 in other South Carolina Junior Golf programs like the six (6) First Tee programs , Aiken’s Hook-a-Kid on Golf Program and Fairway Outreach.

The Foundation also supports the SCJGA annually to the tune of around $150,000 for statewide programs. The purpose of The South Carolina Junior Golf Association is to perpetuate the history and traditions of the game of golf through its members, and with an active outreach to the youth of our state. Through affordable opportunities of play, instruction and competition, Juniors of all ages, walks of life and skill levels will be enriched by the character of the game; its teachings of honor, sportsmanship and respect; and thereby, are better prepared to face the challenges ahead in life. In 2008, Golf Digest named the SCJGA the #1 Junior Golf Association in America through their Junior Development Awards! Programs such as Little Legends where youngsters 12 and under get their start, Clubs 4 Kids that helps distribute 2,000 clubs annually, and Golf in Schools are all a big part of developing new players. What started in 1990 with three chapters and 155 players, the Hootie and the Blowfish Summer Tour now serves 1,700 juniors over 20 regional chapters with grassroots competition.

The Hootie and the Blowfish Monday After The Masters is directly responsible for growing all of our programs and we thank each and every person involved with this wonderful event.


Junior Golf Land

Well the dream has finally become a reality. Through a lot of hard work and a bunch of creative minds, Junior Golf Land started programs for the youth of the area on June 20, 1997. The newly restructured facility, at RiverSide Golf Center in Columbia, includes a brand new practice tee and putting green that is used exclusively by participating juniors. The pre-existing par three course has been remodeled and reshaped to provide more of a golf course appeal for players. There is also a clubhouse, called the Hootie Hut, that is specifically used by and for juniors.

Thanks to previous Monday After The Masters Pro-Am and a grant from the USGA, Junior Golf Land at RiverSide is a place where large and small groups can be instructed about the fundamentals, history and integrity of golf. This year's tournament will be essential in the maintenance and continued progress of Junior Golf Land.

All of those who have participated in the past and who will participate this year have helped the SCJGA build and maintain our dream of Junior Golf Land. More importantly, everyone has helped needy and underprivileged kids learn to grip a golf club and get a better grip on life.

Groups and Outiongs
If your organization is interested in scheduling a visit to our facility, please contact our staff at (803) 732-9311. Applications can be obtained from the South Carolina Junior Golf Association. Golf Land is accessible seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for sponsored groups.