Bloomingdale Homeowners Host Golf Tournament for Library Rape Survivor

News Report

The Bloomingdale Homeowners Association is recruiting players for its Spring Classic Golf Tournament, with proceeds dedicated to continued therapy for the young Riverview woman who survived a 2008 attack at the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library.

The young woman, then 18, had driven up to the library book drop after hours when she was dragged from her car, raped and beaten. Last year, Kendrick Morris of Clair-Mel City was convicted of that crime and another rape and sentenced to 65 years in prison.

His Bloomingdale victim was left with brain damage that took her vision and keeps her from walking, talking, or eating without a feeding tube.

Proceeds from the tournament will help pay for intensive therapy and rehabilitation programs for the young woman that are not covered by Medicaid or other insurance.

The tournament, which can accept up to 144 players, will start at 1 p.m. April 14 at the Bloomingdale Golfers Club, 4113 Great Golfers Place. The cost is $80 per player or $300 for a foursome, which includes a round of golf for each player. Dinner will be served at the end of the day for all players at the club’s Legends Grill.

Association board member Jane Lee said the nonprofit homeowners organization, representing about 5,000 households in the Bloomingdale subdivision, had been considering hosting a tournament at the golf club for some time. It was not difficult to choose a beneficiary, she said.

“This young lady went through a horrific ordeal that will continue to affect the rest of her life,” Lee said. “Who better or more deserving?”

The registration deadline is April 7. For information, call Lee at 813-477-7120 or email inbloomingdalenews@tampabay.rr.com. Donations are tax-deductible. Checks may be mailed to the association at P.O. Box 7221, Brandon, FL 33508.