After a one-year delay, the Arians Family Foundation Golf Classic will tee off at Innisbrook on April 18-19.
The event, the seventh since the foundation was launched and the 14th the family has hosted, will be the first in Florida after last year’s tournament was canceled due to the pandemic.
“Innisbrook really stepped up and wanted to host it, and we couldn’t be more excited about having it there,” says foundation president Jake Arians, son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians. “They have been phenomenal to work with and we could not be happier about having it there. It is going to be fantastic.”
Arians noted that many current, and former, players are scheduled to attend. Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Jason Pierre-Paul are among current Bucs who are confirmed to take part in the two-day event at the Palm Harbor resort. Though recent knee surgery will prevent Brady from swinging the clubs, the seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback will be on hand.
Players Bruce Arians previously coached, such as Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer, are also expected to attend. Country music performer Chase Rice, an Ormond Beach native, will perform at the Sunday night gala dinner.
It all adds up to what will undoubtedly be a landmark couple of days for the foundation.
“It was really, really hard to get through 2020 for so many reasons but for a foundation to be able to raise money was really tough without having these big events that we really count on,” says Arians, who was a kicker with the Buffalo Bills in 2001.
Now, it looks like the foundation can count on having its best tournament yet, as far as fundraising, which would benefit the foundation’s support of Court Appointed Special Advocates, a national organization with a mission to ensure that children, who are in the court system as a result of neglect at home, can receive the help and support they need.
“To net more than a half-million dollars is the initial goal and anything over that would be gravy,” says Arians. “We have been close before but have not hit that mark. I think we could get closer to a million if things go right, but to me, to be able to do (a half-million) after a year off would make for a fantastic outing. It would be pretty special if we could achieve that.”
Several sponsor packages, which include various golf, reception and dinner options are available.
Christine Arians, Bruce’s wife and Jake’s mother, has spent her career improving the lives of children. She spent many years as a family law attorney and, along with Bruce, launched the foundation in 2013. Tampa Bay-area non-profits supported by the foundation include Voices for Children and the Guardian ad Litem program in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
“You think my dad is passionate when he is screaming at officials or getting fired up on the sidelines?” said Arians. “He has nothing on my mom when it comes to her helping kids. It has been her passion for so many years. It is a hell of a lot more important than football, and winning games, but it is awesome to be able to have football as the platform to help save a kid’s life or change a kid’s life.”
The event should prove not only memorable for everybody descending upon Innisbrook, but also for a foundation that continues to grow and promote awareness of such a critical cause.
“We always want to make each event better than the last one and get the word out so that as many people as possible hear about it,” said Arians.
Photos courtesy of Jake Arians.
