On Monday, May 18, 2015, the Lancaster AMBUCS and the Occupational Development Center were set to swing into action for a cause close to home. The two organizations teamed up to host the 9th Annual AMBUCS Golf Tournament, a fundraiser benefiting Lancaster County adults with developmental disabilities.
Tournament details
The tournament was scheduled at Four Seasons Golf Course in Landisville. The format was a scramble, a popular choice for charity events because it keeps play moving and lets golfers of every skill level contribute to their team’s score.
Registration was set to open at 11:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. After the round, players would gather for dinner at 4:30 p.m. The cost was $100 per person, which covered a round of golf, the use of a cart, dinner and prizes. All net proceeds were designated for the Occupational Development Center.
Organizers welcomed both players and sponsors. Those interested in signing up or sponsoring part of the event could contact tournament organizers through the AMBUCS and ODC golf tournament registration page.
About the Occupational Development Center
The Occupational Development Center is a nonprofit organization with a long history in the county. It was founded in 1948 as the Child Development Center, and over the decades it grew to focus on adults.
Its mission is to provide high-quality, cost-effective, not-for-profit vocational training and employment opportunities for Lancaster County adults with developmental disabilities. That work helps people build skills, earn income and take part more fully in community life. More information about the organization is available at odcenter.org.
About AMBUCS
AMBUCS is a nonprofit service organization made up of a diverse group of men and women who are dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities. Local chapters raise money and volunteer their time on projects that make a direct difference for individuals and families.
The Lancaster chapter had already demonstrated that commitment earlier in 2015. When the chapter’s organizational funds were depleted, members dipped into their own pockets to purchase a modified AmTryke, an adaptive tricycle, for a local resident who needed one. The gesture reflected the group’s hands-on approach to its mission.
AmTrykes are one of the signature programs of AMBUCS nationally. The therapeutic tricycles are designed for people who cannot ride a traditional bike, and they can be fitted with hand controls and other adaptations. For many riders, they offer exercise, independence and the simple joy of riding alongside friends and family.
Why the tournament matters
Charity golf tournaments are a familiar fixture across Lancaster County each spring, but the AMBUCS event stood out for the directness of its impact. The money raised on the course went straight to an organization that helps neighbors find meaningful work and training.
For participants, the day offered a chance to enjoy an afternoon outdoors, network with others from the business and nonprofit communities, and support a cause that changes lives. For the Occupational Development Center, the proceeds helped sustain programs that serve adults who might otherwise have few options for employment.
By its ninth year, the tournament had become a dependable part of the local calendar. Each spring it brought together golfers, sponsors and volunteers who shared a belief that everyone deserves a chance to work, move and live as independently as possible.
Getting involved
Beyond the tournament, both organizations welcomed new supporters throughout the year. AMBUCS chapters rely on members who volunteer their time and talents, and the Occupational Development Center depends on community partners, donors and employers to carry out its mission.
For golfers looking for a reason to hit the links in May, the 2015 tournament offered a good one. A round at Four Seasons, a shared meal and the knowledge that the day’s proceeds would help local adults build better futures made the $100 entry fee feel like a bargain.