Dads, Father Figures Can Join Prince George's Golf, Grill Event

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Leaders are celebrating the roles of fathers, uncles, and other strong male figures in the lives of their friends and family with — what else — a round of golf and some grilling.

Anyone interested can still sign up for the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office Men’s Golf and Grill Event this Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Country Club of Woodmore.

Although the event celebrates Father’s Day weekend, event host Principal Deputy Jason B. Abbott said the gathering is meant to inspire the youth community by establishing connections between the youth and successful men of Prince George’s County.

“In the state attorney’s office, we are investing in our young people,” Abbot said, “This event is an event that is really geared toward getting a collection of people together, primarily men. It’s right around Father’s Day and we want men to be engaged with young people, to volunteer to assist young people.”

The event will feature youth empowerment speeches from mentors and guest speakers sharing stories about their pasts to inspire younger generations. Derrick Fenner, former NFL player and president of EverFourward, LLC, expressed the importance of investing in young people and sharing motivational stories.

“It’s really to reiterate the importance of, especially as fathers are concerned, to really be engaged and be a part of your younger person’s life," Fenner said. "We want to make sure we’re able to sort of guide them and help them avoid the pitfalls [of life.]”

The men’s day event returns in person after the State’s Attorney’s office was forced to host last year’s event virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that did not stop them from continuing their grill contest.

“Last year’s event, we did totally virtual. It was a virtual cookout where we featured men show their skills on the grill. They were in their own homes pretty much, had their grill set up with grill food ... and what they prepared,” Abbott said.

After last year’s success with the virtual grill contest, Abbott decided to continue the virtual aspect by introducing a hybrid model where guests have the option to join the contest from their homes on Zoom or attend the event in person.

Although Abbott and the State’s Attorney’s office adjusted to the COVID-19 restrictions posed on events last year, Abbott is excited to experience the personal interaction lost during the pandemic.

“I think it’s great because that personal interaction is special,” Abbot said, “It’s what we’ve grown up enjoying and doing. It just provides us with an opportunity to get together and socialize with people. And it’s outdoors so we’re still being mindful that hey we’re not totally out of this, but we can get together and socialize.”

The Men’s Golf and Grill Event will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. this Friday at the Country Club of Woodmore.

The third annual event includes a hybrid grill contest and an in-person nine-hole round of golf. The cost for nine rounds of golf is $50 per person and will go directly to Woodmore. Golfing begins at 12:30 p.m., while the reception and virtual grill contest start at 4 p.m.

If you would like to attend the event, register online. Those who would like to participate in the nine-round of golf must register by 2 p.m. on June 16. Contact Karen Toles, county council member, via e-mail at krtoles@co.pg.md.us for more information.