Charity Golf Event Helping Orphaned Girls

Green Country residents are raising money for two children orphaned by tragedy. Chelsea and Kendra Freeman were left without parents last month after their father killed their mother, then turned the gun

Sunday, September 16th 2007, 5:29 pm

By: News On 6


Green Country residents are raising money for two children orphaned by tragedy. Chelsea and Kendra Freeman were left without parents last month after their father killed their mother, then turned the gun on himself. The News On 6's Chris Wright reports that friends of the family organized a charity golf tournament to help with expenses.

Members of the Freeman family are still reeling from the murder suicide, but say the tournament at the Bailey Ranch Golf Club in Owasso did help with the healing process.

The Freeman family lived through a nightmare on August 15th. Creek County deputies say Kenneth Freeman waited that night for his wife Shelly and his children to return to their Drumright home. They say he ordered his two kids, 14-year-old Chelsea and 9-year-old Kendra, to go inside. He then shot his wife in the head before killing himself.

"As far as family goes, everybody's trying to work through this thing as best we can," says the girl’s uncle Todd Freeman.

Shortly after the tragedy, Todd's co-workers told him they wanted to organize a charity golf tournament to help the family with expenses. Despite having only a few weeks to plan it, Sunday's event drew more than 30 golfers.

"I just wanted to do something to help him and I thought this would be the best way because everyone likes to play golf," acknowledged tournament director Shane Neighbors.

The golfers were paired off into eight groups of four. Each paid a $75 entry fee, half of which will be deposited in a trust fund set up for the girls. The holes were sponsored by local businesses, which also provided prizes for the winners, and the golfers didn't mind hitting the links for a good cause.

"If you can get out and have some fun playing the game, and doing something good for somebody, it doesn't matter what you shoot or what you play," said golfer Pete Womack.

Todd Freeman says it will be a while before his family recovers from what happened, but for at least one afternoon, he was able to enjoy some beautiful weather and some golf.

"This many people actually care, come out and care. For a tragedy like this, something positive came out of something so negative," Todd Freeman said.

Chelsea and Kendra are now living with their grandmother.

The tournament's organizers hope to make this an annual affair. They say given a few more months to plan it, it could be even bigger and better next year.

Watch the video: Golf Benefits Girls
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