At LARC (Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens), we believe that inclusion begins with opportunity — and sometimes, it starts with a golf swing.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, young golfers across Southwest Florida will gather at The Golf Club at Crown Colony for the Fore the Future Youth Golf Challenge, a first-of-its-kind fundraiser designed just for students in grades 1-12. This isn’t just another tournament. It’s a chance for kids to show what leadership, compassion, and inclusion look like in action.

Every putt, drive, and chip played will help change lives. The funds raised by these students will directly support LARC’s programs that empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to gain skills, secure meaningful work, and live more independently. That means a child’s effort on the course could help someone find their first job, move into their first apartment, or experience belonging in their community.

We’ve designed the event to be as accessible as possible. Golfers don’t need to be pros — just willing to participate. Students are encouraged to raise at least $150, and we provide creative, simple ways to get there: asking 10 friends for $15, rallying pledges per hole, collecting change, or even mowing lawns and walking dogs for donations. These efforts are as much about learning responsibility and generosity as they are about golf.

And the experience will be memorable: every registered golfer receives lunch, swag, and a special event T-shirt — plus plenty of fun on-course challenges, prizes for top fundraisers, and even a hole-in-one opportunity for a Disney vacation.

This event is more than a day of play; it’s an invitation for our young people to lead. When kids step up, they show us all what’s possible: a Southwest Florida where every person, regardless of ability, belongs.

I invite families, schools, and community partners to help us make this inaugural Youth Golf Challenge a success. Together, we can teach the next generation that giving back is a privilege, and inclusion is a responsibility we all share.

Register, sponsor, or learn more at www.larcleecounty.org/events/youthgolfchallenge.

Let’s swing for inclusion — because when our kids lead the way, the future is brighter for everyone.

Angela Katz is the executive director of LARC.