Links Hosts Third Annual Orange County Charity Classic Golf Tournament

Online, August 7, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Links Players International (Links), a Christian golf ministry and a collection of local fellowships for golfers, announced today it will host its third annual OC Charity Classic Golf Tournament. All proceeds of the tournament will help fund community clinics of St. Joseph Hospital and Links. The event will take place on Monday, September 24, at the Mission Viejo Country Club. Professional golfers including local pro Ray Carrasco will be paired with local golf students and hospital volunteers for an opportunity to learn from experts on the course.

Links is a ministry promoting Christian fellowship and outreach among golfers, with more than 120 local Links Fellowships around the country. The organization was founded in 1980 with the encouragement of a group of PGA Tour professionals who wanted to share their Christian faith with fellow golfers around the world. As a part of its mission to reach out in compassion to help society's poor and needy, Links is establishing a community partnership to help support the Community Clinics of St. Joseph Hospital.

"We are delighted to host the charity golf tournament for the third year and as a part of our mission, it is important for us to lend a helping hand to our local community," said Links Players International President Jeffrey Cranford. "The support and donations are an inspiring example of what community partnerships can accomplish on behalf of families without insurance and who have no alternatives for healthcare services."

The community clinics of St. Joseph Hospital consists of La Amistad de Jose Family Health Center and Puente a La Salud mobile community clinics, providers of comprehensive acute and chronic care for persons of all ages among Orange County's most vulnerable population. The clinics' mission is to serve the community's economically disadvantaged individuals and their families who have little or no access to healthcare, as well as those uninsured and underinsured.

"We are thankful for Links Players International's generous donations that enable us to provide care to families unable to obtain health services," said Linda Simon, vice president of Mission Integration. "Without these types of contributions from the local community, we would not be able to support our patients who fall at or below the federal poverty guidelines.

Players will enjoy a day of activities and fellowship with 18 holes of golf, dinner, an auction and a helicopter ball drop for a chance to win a flat screen television. Tickets are priced at $250 per person, and registration deadline for golf and dinner is Monday, September 10. Tickets for dinner and auction only are also available for $30.