On June 8th, 2026, Venture Together welcomed golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and community supporters to Patriot Hills Golf Club for its inaugural Driving Joy: Venture Together’s 2026 Golf Classic, raising support for programs that empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live joyful, meaningful lives.
Held under perfect weather, the event featured 18 holes of golf, on-course contests, a silent auction, dinner, and opportunities for participants to connect while supporting Venture Together’s mission. Highlights included the Hole-in-One Challenge, Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive contests, and the exciting $5,000 Putting Contest Finale.
The day began with the Metropolitan Golf Association’s (MGA) Adaptive Golf Clinic, where Venture Together program participants demonstrated the skills they developed through a series of instructional clinics leading up to the event. The clinic showcased the power of adaptive recreation and the importance of creating inclusive opportunities for people of all abilities.
One of the most meaningful moments of the day was recognizing two remarkable community leaders whose lives exemplify the values of Venture Together.
We were honored to present the Fairway to Opportunity Award to Jim McCann, whose decades of leadership, mentorship, and commitment to expanding access through the game of golf have opened countless doors for others.
We also proudly presented the Pathways to Independence Award to Ray Kondracki, whose lifelong dedication to education, Camp Venture, and inclusive programming has empowered generations of children and young adults to grow in confidence, independence, and purpose.
Venture Together extends its sincere gratitude to every golfer, sponsor, volunteer, donor, and community partner whose generosity made the inaugural Driving Joy Golf Classic a tremendous success. Together, we demonstrated how a community united around a shared purpose can create lasting opportunities and drive joy for generations to come.
