By Mark Kramer
It was a day of golf for a good cause.
Thanks to the participants in the eighth annual Friends of Mike Clement Golf
Tournament at Eagle Pointe Golf Club last week, Goose Creek CISD graduating seniors will benefit once again through college scholarships.
According to Mark Casey, executive director of Friends of Mike Clement 501(c3) non-profit organization, this year’s tournament generated more than $10,000. Since the inception of the event, more than $51,000 has been raised to help the dreams of a college education come true for local students.
Clement was born and raised in Baytown and graduated from Lee High School in 1980 where he was known for being an outstanding student, as well as a stellar athlete on the football and baseball fields.
Clement attended Sam Houston State University, where he earned his degree in
accounting. During his time at SHSU, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He
eventually became youth minister at Central Baptist Church.
In his 1987 book “Rise to the Challenge,” Clement describes hitting rock bottom
physically and emotionally. At that point he prayed and determined not to wallow in self-pity. He threw his energy into his ministry and eventually was elected to the Goose
Creek CISD school board. He passed away in 1998 from an accident related to the
disease.
“Mike really enjoyed working with the youth and it brought such joy to his life,” said
David Clement, Mike’s younger brother. “He was a friend to everyone and I know he
would be pleased to see how people are coming together to help create promising
futures for young people in the Baytown community.”
Last year, 11 Goose Creek students were presented with $1,000 scholarships through
the foundation. The organization plans to award another $10,000 to students in May
2023.
The results of the tournament are as follows:
First Place Team: Michael Perras, Lori Marti, Brent Mauer, Leighton Littlefield
Second Place Team: Les Elliott, Cleveland Robinson, Curtis Bennett
Third Place Team: Trace Spears, Tom Shope, Wes Walker, Fred Trainer
Long Drive Winners: Tom Shope, Michael Perras
Closest to the Pin Winners: Leighton Littlefield, Roy Stanley (not pictured)
To make a donation or for more information about the organization, visit