Port Freeport annual golf tournament raises funds benefitting Texas Port Ministry

During the November 12 meeting, the Port Freeport Commission and staff presented a check in the amount of $67,600 from the proceeds of the 9th Annual Port Freeport Golf Tournament to Bobby Fuller, Director of Texas Port Ministry.

The tournament was held on October 19, 2020 at The Wilderness Golf Course in Lake Jackson. Due to the current environment, scheduled tee times were implemented to encourage social distancing and extra precautions were taken for the health and safety of all participants. A combined total of 41 teams and over 80 sponsors made the tournament a success.

“The services provided by Texas Port Ministry are important for the well-being of sea-farers that live and work on ships calling the terminals located on the Freeport Harbor Channel. Vessel traffic along the Freeport Harbor Channel continues to grow with a 50% increase since 2015, expanding the demand for the services that Texas Port Ministry provides,” Port Freeport Executive Director/CEO Phyllis Saathoff said.

Proceeds from the tournament will assist Texas Port Ministry in providing for the spiritual, social, and physical needs of mariners and truckers within the Freeport Harbor Channel community. Each year, Texas Port Ministry impacts over 10,000 international seafarers from over 50 countries, over 150,000 truck drivers, and many local port workers.  The work of the ministry is completely funded through donations and through the service of over 40 volunteers representing 20 area churches.

“Despite the current environment, we were able to nearly reach last year’s fundraising record through the generosity of our community,” Port Commission Chairman Shane Pirtle said. “On behalf of the Port Commission, I would like to thank Texas Port Ministry for the services they provide, and extend a huge thank you to the sponsors, volunteers, and staff for their commitment to making this a very successful tournament year after year.”

The success of the tournament is contributed to the generosity of sponsors and participants, the dedication of volunteers from Texas Port Ministry and the Texas A&M University-Galveston and University of Houston student maritime organizations, and the efforts of staff.

Title Sponsor – Port Freeport; Elite Sponsor – Enterprise Products, International Longshoremen's Association, McCarthy Building Co.; Platinum – Brazos Pilots Association, Freeport LNG, Phillips 66, Ports America; Gold – Cordoba Law Firm, PLLC, HDR Engineering, Inc., Vulcan Materials Co.; Silver –  BASF, Bay-Houston Towing Co., G & H Towing Co., Terracon Consultants, Inc., Trammell Crow Company; Bronze – Blank Rome, LLP,  Dole Fresh Fruit, The Dow Chemical Co., GAC,  GeoScience Engineering & Testing, Inc., Gulf Stream Marine, Jacobs, Jones|Carter, Halff Associates, LJA Engineering Inc., MEGlobal,  Sorrell Construction Equipment & Materials; Beverage Cart – BBC Chartering, Gulf LNG Services, Red Hook Terminals, West Gulf Maritime Association; Lunch - Freeport Mooring & Marine, Gulf Coast Employee Benefits, Jetco Delivery, Jimmy John's; Tent and Hole Sponsor – Ameco, LJA Engineering, Inc.,  Rollcon;  Breakfast Sponsors – Bracewell, LLP; Putting Greens Sponsors – Freeport Launch Services, Gulf LNG Services, Signet Maritime Corporation The First State Bank Louise;  Awards Sponsors – Killum Pest Control; Dinner – Norton Lilly LNG, Gulf LNG Services, Freese & Nichols Engineering; Hole Sponsor – Associated Testing Laboratories, Bay Area Fire & Safety, Doyle & Wachtstetter, Inc., EHRA Engineering, Freeport Mooring & Marine,  Gallagher & Co., Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta & Commissioner Donald Payne, Kile Consulting, KM & L, LLC, Lion Industrial Resources, Masterson Advisors, LLC, Port Freeport Commissioner Shane Pirtle, Port Freeport Commissioner Ravi Singhania, Port Freeport Commissioner John Hoss, Port Freeport Commissioner Dan Croft, Port Freeport Employees, Suderman & Young Company, Sunstates Security, LLC; Sponsor Donations – Baystar Group, Bearcom, Big Country Gun Range, Blueline Shop, Bobby and Jackie Fuller, Brandfire, Detail Products, Inc., Evco, Gulftex Vending and Services, Inc, Honda of Lake Jackson, M & G Trailer Ranch, Rooster’s Crow Guide Service, LLC, Talk About Good, Terracon, Texas Gulf Bank, Texas Port Ministry, Texas Roadhouse, Tolunay-Wong Engineers, The Wilderness, Vernor Material & Equipment.

Port Freeport is a leading port in the export of crude oil and natural gas liquids and ranked 6th in chemicals, 17th in foreign waterborne tonnage, and 26th in containers.  A 2019 Economic Impact Study by Texas A&M Transportation Institute revealed that, nationally, the Freeport Harbor Channel generates 279,780 jobs and has a total economic output of $149 billion. The Freeport Harbor Channel serves BASF, Chiquita Fresh N.A., CMA CGM, Dole Fresh Fruit, The Dow Chemical Company, Freeport LNG, Glovis, Grimaldi Lines, Hoegh Autoliners, Horizon Auto Logistics, Liberty Global Logistics, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean, Mammoet, MEGlobal, Phillips 66, Riviana Foods, Inc., Sallaum Lines, Seaway Crude Pipeline Company, Tenaris, and Vulcan Materials Company.

Port Freeport is committed to keeping the local community informed of our operation and results. If you have questions or comments about this article, please email or call Jessica Follett, Public Affairs Manager.