Photo courtesy Fred HardawayCharity uses event proceeds to help families
For more than 30 years, B.L. "Chubby" May had dressed up as Santa Claus for various civic events.
"He would arrive in a police car or fire truck. He went by helicopter. One time he even drove a team of mules," his son Bill May said. "Fortunately he knew how to do that from growing up in the country."
Playing Santa was one of the ways the Austinite gave back to the community during his favorite time of year.
After May died in 2001, Bill and some friends were thinking about ways to honor his memory.
Someone had casually referred to Chubby as a saint, and the name stuck, Bill recalled. They thought of hosting a golf tournament and using the funds to help families in need at Christmastime.
They formed a nonprofit and quickly started planning their first event. For a logo they picked a Santa Claus with a halo and a golf club.
This year the Southwest Austin–based charity will host its 14th annual St. Chubby Golf Classic on April 26 at Plum Creek Golf Course in Kyle.
The event is in scramble format. Four players on a team hit a ball, and the team advances along the course based on the best shot of the four.
The charity awards prizes to the top three men's and women's teams, the longest drives and closest ball to the pin.
St. Chubby has an agreement with US Hole in One; a golfer who hits a hole in one during gameplay wins $10,000.
A dinner, raffle and auctions are planned after the golf tournament.
Bill said the charity makes its proceeds from the various advertisements and sponsorships the event provides.
St. Chubby uses the proceeds to help families. The nonprofit researches each potential family's needs to see how it can help, Bill said. It typically donates toys and clothes.
In 2013, the charity donated to the Central Texas Children's Home, the Settlement Home for Girls, Austin Achieve School and the Austin Police Department's Amigos En Azul/Shop with a Cop program. It responded to families after the 2013 Halloween floods, which had done significant damage in the Onion Creek area.
14th annual St. Chubby Golf Classic, April 26, 7 a.m. (registration), $110 (registration fee per person), Plum Creek Golf Course, 750 Kohlers Crossing, Kyle
