On Thursday, June 12, 2025, the community came together for a day of sunshine, solidarity, and purpose at the 3rd Annual Fore the Cause Charity Golf Event, held at Springfield Golf Club. With 65 golfers teeing off for a cause greater than the game itself, the event was a powerful demonstration of how sports and service can unite us to support youth in recovery. Hosted to benefit two impactful nonprofits—Emerald School of Excellence and Dream the Impossible—this year’s event lived up to its theme: Driving Away the Stigma.
The morning began under blue skies, with golfers arriving full of energy and ready to make a difference. With tee-off starting at 9:30 AM, the event set the tone for a day filled with camaraderie, fun, and meaning. As the teams took to the course, laughter and encouragement echoed across the greens. For many, the day was not just about their swing—it was about showing up for a cause that matters deeply.
Emerald School of Excellence, North Carolina’s only recovery high school, and Dream the Impossible, a nonprofit dedicated to mental health advocacy and reducing stigma, continues to raise awareness and foster hope throughout the Charlotte community. Together, these organizations are helping students and families navigate the challenges of substance use and mental health with compassion and care.
Thanks to the generosity of participants and sponsors, the charity golf event raised over $30,000—funds that will directly impact students in need of academic and emotional support. These dollars help cover critical programming, school materials, peer support initiatives, and community outreach.
This year’s success would not have been possible without the incredible backing of our 10 sponsors:
Each sponsor played a vital role in helping us extend the reach of our mission. Their support is helping remove barriers for youth and families facing the devastating impacts of substance use disorder.
The event was played under a beautifully overcast sky, providing comfortable conditions for a full morning of golf. Teams returned for a celebratory lunch and participated in a silent auction, raffle, and awards ceremony. With exciting auction items and generous bids, energy remained high throughout the afternoon.
The winning team posted an impressive score of 55, adding a fun dose of competitive spirit to the event. But beyond the scores and raffles, every attendee contributed to something much greater: the continued fight against stigma.
Events like this charity golf event go far beyond fundraising. They bring visibility to the challenges teens face in recovery and help normalize conversations around substance use and mental health. Stigma remains one of the biggest obstacles preventing young people from seeking help. This event is about creating space where stories can be shared, support can be offered, and hope can grow.
Emerald School of Excellence works year-round to provide a structured academic environment for students in recovery. By pairing education with accountability, mentorship, and compassion, Emerald empowers teens to rewrite their stories and plan for a better future. Dream the Impossible complements this work with outreach and family programming designed to create strong, healthy support systems at home and in the community.
Together, these organizations remind us that recovery is not only possible—it’s something worth celebrating.
Each year, the Fore the Cause event grows in impact and reach. Our 2025 event marked another step forward in building awareness and raising funds to serve more students and families. We are incredibly grateful to our community, volunteers, sponsors, and attendees who showed up and helped us drive away stigma—one swing at a time.
If you missed this year’s event but want to be involved in future events, there are many ways to support. Whether through sponsorship, donations, or participation, your involvement makes a lasting difference. Reach out to us at emeraldschool.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay connected.
There’s something powerful about a morning spent on the golf course surrounded by people who believe in change. The 3rd Annual Fore the Cause Charity Golf Event was a celebration of perseverance, recovery, and hope. The funds raised are already at work, helping students take the next step toward success—in the classroom and in life.
To learn more about how you can support recovery through future events or student sponsorships, or to explore Emerald’s mission, visit National Alliance for Recovery Schools or National Council for Mental Wellbeing to learn more about the broader movement of youth recovery support.
Let’s keep the momentum going. One swing. One student. One story at a time.
