Published: May 18, 2009 08:06 am      

Celebrity golf event to benefit Nikki Stonecipher Scholarship Fund

Ada — More than 140 golfers from across North America will convene at Oak Hills Golf & Country Club tomorrow morning for the 4th Annual Nikki Stonecipher Memorial Scholarship Fund Golf Scramble.

The event is the brainchild of former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Turpen. Proceeds from the scramble (and accompanying silent auction) will go directly to a fund established at the East Central University Foundation in Nikki Stonecipher’s name. Nikki and her parents, Brent and Tina Stonecipher, were killed in a tragic plane accident on July 24, 2005.

“Those of us who knew Nikki well, knew she was headed into the 6th grade at the time. Today, she would wrapping up the spring semester of her freshman year as a 15-year-old,” Turpen said. “This event is a chance for all of us to pause, reflect, celebrate and remember — with the Stonecipher and Bowerman families — these precious lives that were lost in the summer of 2005. In doing so, we’re helping grow a very special scholarship fund that will forever assist college-bound students from this area.”

According to John Long, Pre-Paid Legal vice president of corporate development who has assisted in planning, the event has drawn entrants from all four corners of the continent.

“This is a unique event for Ada,” Long said. “Most of the 144 participants and spectators – sales associates, provider lawyers, vendors, friends and employees —will be from other states and Canadian provinces. Simultaneously, there are hundreds of others who aren’t physically here, but who are participating in the fundraising effort through the online silent auction.”

Among those expected to participate in the event include: NFL Hall of Famer and business entrepreneur Fran Tarkenton; State of Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson; former Attorney General and provider attorney Mike Turpen; and Pre-Paid Legal’s top sales associate Dave Savula.

Long said the online silent auction will likely match the golf event in funds generated for the scholarship.

“The range of items being auctioned is really unbelievable,” Long said. “The list is impressive. Tickets to sporting events, golf equipment, weekend getaways, artwork...the range of items is creative and fun.”

Long said Pre-Paid Legal’s own Linda Townsend has worked in concert with Georgia Regional Vice President Gayle Serba in orchestrating the silent auction (which concludes at 5 p.m. Monday).

Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund can do so by contacting the ECU Foundation at (580) 310-5514.