More  wishes will come true for children with life-threatening diseases thanks to the contributions of UT's Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity.  

The fraternity held its inaugural charity golf tournament April 20 at Centennial Golf Course in Oak Ridge to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of East Tennessee.  The four-person team scramble began at 2 p.m. with a shotgun start and 51 golfers participating.  A long-drive contest, putting contest and closest-to-the-pin contest also provided some individual competition.  Prizes were awarded to the top three teams and the winners of the individual contests.  A silent auction highlighted by gift baskets from the Masters and Bradley's Chocolates also helped raise money for Make-a-Wish.  
Alpha Kappa Psi first considered the idea of a golf tournament over winter break when some members met together to brainstorm fundraising ideas.  Golf Tournament Co-Chairman Greg Patterson said the formal planning began in early February.      

"I learned how much preparation actually goes into finding sponsorships and teams for a tournament," Patterson said.  You need to delegate as much responsibility as possible and get as many volunteers you can.  We will also start planning the tournament earlier next year because 10 weeks was not enough time to get it completely and thoroughly planned without rushing."

Golf Tournament Co-Chairman Chris Bolen added, "I learned that patience and communication are very key to planning anything this size.  Decision making is often overlooked as a quality of a good leader."

Make-a-Wish was chosen as the group's philanthropy because the fraternity favored their local focus and their mission.  Make-a-Wish was founded in 1980 and sets out to grant wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy according to its website.

"I've always enjoyed volunteering with kids and Make-A-Wish represents an opportunity to help children who are experiencing hardships that I could never dream of," Bolen said.

Bolen and Patterson both agreed the most rewarding part was surpassing their goal of a $1,000 donation to the foundation.

Alpha Kappa Psi is the oldest co-ed business fraternity in the country.  The Zeta Lambda chapter was founded on UT's campus in 1964.  While the majority of the fraternity is business students, it is open to anyone with a minor in business or who has a strong interest in business.  The UT chapter has more than 150 members according to President Kevin Baker.  Potential members must go through a week-long rush followed by a semester long pledging process.  

"We participate in professional, educational, social and service activities to further our knowledge of business and become better business leaders." Baker said.  

Patterson added that the fraternity hopes to make the tournament an annual event.  

The golf tournament was won by a team from Knoxville Catholic High School.  Team members were: Colin Maskel, Jake Glesby, Kelly Booth and Patrick Proctor.