History of the Graceland Golf Classic

For over 50 years, Graceland Baptist Church has been known for its commitment to reaching out to the people of Southern Indiana. Through the years, the church has grown to become a major support to community non-profit and humanitarian organizations.

By 1991, the church had expanded its education ministries to include a college. Seeking ways to help fund the needs of the athletic department, a group of individuals from the church and college staff came up with the plan to start the Golf Classic. Thus, a committee was formed, and the first annual "Graceland Golf Classic" was held.

In 1994, as an effort to increase the involvement of community leaders and businesses, the Mayor's Cup Challenge was added to this event. This challenge is a competition between the mayors of New Albany and Jeffersonville, who each enroll a team to compete against the other city for the coveted Mayor's Cup trophy and (of course) bragging rights for a year!

In 1997, the college closed, but the committee still wanted to invest in Christian edcuation and meet the needs of young people in our community, so it was decided to continue the Golf Classic through Graceland Christian School, which is now Christian Academy of Indiana.

Over the years, over $500,000 has been raised. The funds have been used for community programs sponsored by Graceland Baptist Church as well as the educational needs of students, including: new classroom computers, a distance learning lab, new student lockers, a new press box, baseball fields and dugouts, team uniforms, and the list continues.

All of this would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. It is to you, our sponsors and our participants, that we owe a debt of thanks!

- The Graceland Golf Classic Committee