Published: July 02, 2009 01:41 am      

DISC GOLF: Tournament is Sunday at Beaver Island

FUNDRAISER: Proceeds benefit the Leon D. Carr Memorial Fund.

GRAND ISLAND — Teams are already out at Beaver Island State Park practicing their disc golf throws for the second annual Redbone Classic tournament to be held at noon this Sunday at the park’s Blue Heron Disc Golf course.

This year, organizers have added a nine-hole golf tournament at the Beaver Island golf course. Both are doubles contests with cash prizes. Registration is 8 a.m. for the disc golf tournament, with a start time of 9 a.m. Registration is 11 a.m. for the golf tournament, with a tee time of noon.

The tournament is a fundraiser for the Leon D. Carr Memorial Fund. Last year’s event raised $1,000 in scholarship funds at Erie Community College, funds for charitable causes and youth recreation programs and helped Leon’s family with medical expenses incurred in his death at age 29 from a snowboarding accident in February 2008. He was a gifted chef at the Village Inn restaurant on Grand Island, a graduate of Grand Island High School and an honors graduate of ECC.

Carr was also known as a natural athlete who enjoyed sports of all kinds. He had a special enthusiasm for disc golf, and played many hours at the Beaver Island course. He encouraged friends and family to be active in outdoor pursuits.

The fundraising events in his honor reflect that priority, said Erin Carr, Leon’s brother, who is president of the Leon D. Carr Memorial Foundation.

“As an organization, our goal is to empower the youth of Western New York to shape their future through physical activity and a connection to nature,” Erin said. “The foundation is dedicated to living life to its fullest and the spirit of adventure.”

Erin described his brother as “a generous man with a big heart, always offering his hand, even to a stranger.” As an organ donor, Leon helped five people continue to live happy, health lives,” he said. “Therefore, we would like to show our gratitude for the services provided by Upstate New York Transplant Services by donating a portion of the proceeds from our event to them.”

This year’s event will again be a family celebration, as well as a tournament. Two bands will perform, Leon and the Forklifts and Sleepless City. There will be volleyball, horseshoes and a bounce house for the kids, as well as food and drink, and basket and 50/50 raffles.

Tee time is noon for the event, and activities continue throughout the afternoon.

For more information or to register, go to leondcarr.com. If you would like to donate to the fund or the basket raffle, call Amanda at 404-2815 or write to Leon D. Carr Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 924, Grand Island, N.Y., 14072.