The 23rd Annual Mary Wise Pace Center for Girls golf tournament raises money to support young girls
Despite the ominous rainstorms that plagued the area all week, the 23rd Annual Mary Wise Golf Scramble for Pace Presented by Pure Aesthetics went off without a hitch on Friday, April 28.
Nearly 200 golfers turned out at the Mark Bostick Golf Course at the University of Florida to take part in this hugely popular fundraising event for Pace. The school has helped to transform the lives of more than 3,000 at-promise girls and young women in Alachua County since it opened its doors in Gainesville in 1998.
Founded in Jacksonville in 1985, Pace now has 22 centers throughout the state of Florida that have helped more than 40,000 girls. The schools serve middle school and high school girls who face a wide range of challenges. As a result of these challenges, many of the girls who come to Pace have dropped out of school or are failing.
To help girls get back on track, Pace provides prevention and intervention services that address the whole girl, including individualized academic plans and educational roadmaps, counseling and therapy, career exploration, social and emotional learning, and the development of independent living skills. Pace Center for Girls is recognized as a national model for reducing recidivism and improving school success, employment, and self-sufficiency. Here in Alachua County, after completing the program, 9 in 10 girls are enrolled in school, higher education, and/or are employed one year after leaving Pace.
Although Pace is funded through state and local governments, fundraising, grants, and support from local businesses account for approximately 25% of the center’s annual budget.
The Mary Wise Golf Scramble is one of the two largest annual fundraisers for Pace Alachua. This year the event netted over $75,000 – money that goes directly to support girls in our community.
Carissa Blaser, owner of Pure Aesthetics in Gainesville, is active on the Pace Alachua board and a fierce advocate for the center. Pure Aesthetics has been the title sponsor for the Mary Wise Scramble for the past five years, giving the center a much-needed financial boost. “I have heard from so many girls who have turned their lives around because of their experience at Pace. The money raised for this annual event directly impacts the girls and helps provide critical academic support and counseling services so that they can reach their full potential. I’m so honored and proud that we can be a part of that.”
Pace Alachua graduate Matdison Edwards shared with the golfers what Pace means to her. “I attended Pace from 2018 to 2020. My time at Pace was the best thing ever. I started with low self-esteem. They told me I was a leader, so I felt like I was one. I graduated one year early from high school. I attend Santa Fe College and will be graduating with my biological sciences degree. I’d like to give a special bow to Miss Carissa [Blaser] for telling me I could be a dermatologist. Her encouragement to keep going for it has really motivated me. Thank you.”
Involved since the inception of the tournament that bears her name, UF women’s volleyball coach Mary Wise doesn’t see her participation ending any time soon. “No matter how much our community grows and improves, the need for Pace never changes. The golf tournament allows us to raise much-needed monies to help save lives. As long as there are girls in our community who need Pace – we’ll be here to support them.”