After wrapping up a morning of OTAs, the Browns hit the golf course as the Cleveland Browns Foundation hosted the 24th Annual Golf Tournament, presented by KeyBank and in association with University Hospitals and Sarchione Auto Group, at Westwood Country Club on June 3.
Players, coaches and alumni gathered at the event to help raise funds and increase awareness for the Cleveland Browns Foundation and its focus on improving school attendance through the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network – an impactful statewide initiative aimed to promote the importance of school attendance and combat chronic absenteeism.
Twenty-seven golf foursomes were joined by Browns personnel during the 18-hole round. Select players joined groups to participate in a round of golf, while others participated in different activations around the course or circulated for meet-and-greets with guests.
Managing and Principal Partners Dee and Jim Haslam, Executive Vice President and Haslam Sports Group Partner JW Johnson, Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry, head coach Kevin Stefanski and a total of 67 players and alumni were among those in attendance during the tournament.
"We got our work done early," Stefanski said. "So, we got in early, and the guys worked out. We had a walkthrough, we had meetings. So, we didn't take a day off, but they still got some good work in here. I told the guys, it's fun that we're all going out there to play golf, but don't forget why we're doing this. We're doing this for a great cause."
Now in its 24th year, the golf tournament stands as the Cleveland Browns Foundation's flagship fundraising event. Through the collective efforts of the Browns, team partners and a community of kind-hearted supporters, this tournament has surpassed the $3.4 million mark in funds raised since its inception.
"What the Cleveland Browns do in the community comes right from Dee and Jimmy and the philanthropic efforts that they've had throughout our community have been unbelievable," Stefanski said. "And with the Browns Foundation, it's a huge part of what we do. And having this event – which is a great fun event for sponsors and having people out here – we are able to raise a bunch of money for the Browns Foundation, which as everybody in the community I'm sure can see, this money goes a long way within different aspects of Northeast Ohio."
Through the Cleveland Browns Foundation and the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, the organization engages school districts and promotes quality education by using attendance data and feedback from families to build a school-going culture, uncover and reduce common barriers to attendance and support engagement opportunities for students to thrive. To learn more, visit StayinTheGame.org.
The Browns give back to Northeast Ohio with a commitment to championing youth football, education and social justice in the community. For more information, visit www.clevelandbrowns.com/brownsgiveback.
