The Henninger family honors the late Warren Henninger, founder and chairman of Ag World Support Systems and the Ag World Golf Classic. Pictured from left are Bryan Henninger, Adam Finch, Melanie Henninger Finch and Judy Henninger.
Despite the challenges brought on by COVID-19, the Ag World Golf Classic continued its tradition of giving to the Ronald McDonald House. This year, amidst masks and extra hand sanitizer, agriculture producers, processors and industry businesses teamed up to raise over $91,000 to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities Inland Northwest (RMHC) and to honor the legacy of Ag World Golf Classic founder Warren Henninger who passed away in May. Organizers are aiming to reach $100,000 and are continuing to accept donations at www.agworldgolf.com.
This year’s charity golf tournament took place Aug. 13 at the Links at Moses Pointe in Moses Lake, Washington. Originally scheduled to be held in June in two locations – Kennewick, Washington, for the seventh year and Moses Lake for the first time – both had to be rescheduled to August with the Kennewick course ultimately canceling due to COVID.
“We knew if we could hold the event, we wanted to find a way to do it safely and still be able to raise funds for the House and honor Dad’s legacy,” said Melanie Finch, Warren Henninger’s daughter and Ag World senior manager.
Through the generosity of 75 sponsors and donors and 145 golfers, the tournament was a success, according to Finch. Not only did the event raise funds, it was also a special year in honoring Warren Henninger, the founder of the event and Ag World Support Systems.
“Dad cast a big shadow and impacted many people during his life. We are blessed to carry on his legacy through the Ag World Golf Classic. Dad’s definitely smiling down from heaven,” said Bryan Henninger, Warren Henninger’s oldest son and president of Ag World.
Memories of Warren Henninger were shared as golfers had a chance to remember him together with the Ag World team and the Henninger family. The Ag World Golf Classic was born out of a vision Warren Henninger had to support families whose children are experiencing a medical crisis and need a place to stay while their child receives care.
The Ag World Golf Classic has donated more than $425,000 to the RMHC over the past six years. The tournament is part of Ag World Support System’s campaign to make a difference in the community by supporting the Ronald McDonald House’s mission to strengthen local families and promote children’s health.
The tournament format changed this year due to COVID. Instead of a shotgun start, there were rolling tee times throughout the day to ensure everyone’s health and safety. To help encourage golfers to give, the Ag World Golf Classic included an online auction again this year.
“Throughout the past 30 years, Ag World Golf Classic is the most significant community fundraiser we have ever seen,” said Mike Forness, executive director of the RMHC in Spokane, Washington. “On behalf of the families and children that stay at the Ronald McDonald House, we say, ‘Thank you, Ag World!’ We see your families’ values, work values and church values as major reasons this fundraiser is so successful.”
Tournament organizers were excited to see the work they put into the event result in a successful fundraiser.
“God blessed the tournament again this year with amazing weather, attendance and generous participation,” said Judy Henninger, Warren’s wife, Ag World administrative executive and co-founder of the Ag World Golf Classic. “We are thankful for our hosts, sponsors, donors, many golfers and supporters who made this event such a huge success. Ag World is honored to support this worthy cause.”
Next year’s tourneys are set for June 8 at Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick and June 10 at the Links at Moses Pointe in Moses Lake.
