Charles E. Seay, Jr., 32°, K.C.C.H.
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, Texas 75219-3993

A prestigious golf event provides great fraternal fellowship and many benefits to the children served by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas.

Each year as June arrives in Dallas, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) is busy making final preparations for the Tartan Golf Classic. What is that you ask? It's an annual golf outing benefiting the young patients at TSRHC. This very special event, which began 15 years ago, was the dream of Ill. Jas. F. Chambers, Jr., 33°, Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the hospital, and Ill. J. C. Montgomery, Jr., 33°, Hospital President. This annual golf outing not only raises funds for the hospital but also has forged strong and lasting friendships which, over the years, have greatly benefited children served by the hospital.

(Left to right) Ill. Charles E. Seay, Jr., Valley of Dallas; Ill. J. C. Montgomery, 33°, President, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children; Justin Leonard, PGA Golf Professional; Ill. C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander; and Mike Anderson, 2001 Tartan Golf Classic Chairman, prepare to tee off at the prestigious fund-raiser which benefits children.

The Tartan Golf Classic had humble beginnings in 1987, but with love and determination, it has become one of the leading tournament events in Dallas. I was extremely honored when the hospital approached me at the tournament's inception about serving as Honorary Chairman of the Tartan along with Mr. Chambers. Who would not want to be a part of an event benefiting a hospital that provides the finest medical care possible at no charge? Since its founding in 1921, TSRHC has never presented a bill to any family—in fact, there is no billing department.

The 2001 Tartan Golf Classic, held on Monday, June 4 of this year, was our most successful tournament to date. The Tartan Board, a group of dedicated volunteers who work year-round to present the tournament, put on yet another tremendous event. Under the leadership of this year's Tartan Chairman, Mike Anderson, the tournament raised a record amount of proceeds totaling $315,000. These funds have been designated, as they were last year, toward the creation of a much-needed MRI Center at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

The Tartan is always a wonderful day of golf and fellowship, and many of the players and volunteers are our fellow Masonic Brethren. The hospital staff and dedicated volunteers do an outstanding job of putting the tournament together. Their attention to detail and loving care makes our guests feel as special as they certainly are to all of us and the children we serve.

This team, composed of 33° Masons, finished fifth in the 2001 Tartan Golf Classic. They are (l. to r.) Ill. Dwight D. Hamilton, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Colorado; Ill. C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander; Henry F. Kleinknecht, 33°, son of the Grand Commander; and Ill. Donald F. Schultz, 33° Valley of Denver.

Each year, we are extremely honored to have Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht and his son, Henry, join us for the event and to visit the hospital. His schedule permitting, he is always willing to support our efforts. Another special guest at this year's Tartan was longtime friend of TSRHC, PGA golf professional Justin Leonard. Justin spent time visiting with players and conducted a putting clinic prior to our putting contest.

As I have said before on many occasions, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is a family, and it is a privilege to be a part of it. The hospital is truly operated according to our Masonic principle of brotherly love. Who receives credit is irrelevant, only that our important task of caring for the child is fulfilled. The hospital is supported entirely through voluntary contributions from Masons along with other generous and good-hearted people who care about the well-being of others.

This hospital family is always open to those who wish to become involved. With this in mind, I am reminded of a special play area which truly illustrates the inclusiveness of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. On the hospital campus, there is a playground area designed especially for young children. It is called the Lee Drain Children's Courtyard and was named in honor of my friend and Vice Chairman of the Board of the hospital, Mr. Lee Drain. In this state-of-the-art play area stands a beautiful sculpture which was a gift of Mr. Drain in honor of his wife, Lynett. The sculpture entitled "Circle of Love," which was created by well-known sculptor and hospital friend Gary Price, depicts a group of children holding hands who are playing a game of "Ring Around the Rosie." In the circle, there is a small break between two of the children with outstretched hands that is just big enough for another person to join in and clasp hands to complete the circle.

And so it is with Texas Scottish Rite Hospital and the many friends who have joined our circle since the founding of the hospital in 1921. New friends join the circle each day who are introduced to the hospital through the Tartan Golf Classic and other special events—as well as Masonic Brethren, patient families, and many others who are dedicated to preserving the 80-year mission of the hospital: returning children to health and happiness.

Charles E. Seay, Jr. is a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Dallas, Texas, and the Grand Lodge of Texas, holding dual membership in his parent Lodge, Knox-Corinthian No. 851, Richardson, Texas, and Claud L. Austin, No. 1450, Dallas. A lifelong resident of Dallas, Bro. Seay is a respected civic leader who has served the community in many capacities, including the boards of the Metropolitan YMCA, Children's Health Service, and the Children's Medical Center. He is a member of the Salesmanship Club and is currently on the board of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, SPCA of Texas, and the Circle Ten Boy Scouts of America. For the past 13 years, Bro. Seay has been the Honorary Chairman of the Tartan Golf Classic, a golf tournament that benefits Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Over the years, he has enthusiastically introduced the hospital to many individuals, organizations, and foundations. These friends, in turn, have provided awareness, leadership, volunteer support, and financial contributions to aid the hospital in its mission. Bro. Seay is married to Carol Paris Seay and has a son, Michael.