Records broken at the Addie and Baylor Kirchgessner Foundation Golf Tournament

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Addie and Baylor Kirchgessner Foundation held its fifth annual golf tournament at Bay Point, drawing a record-breaking 32 teams in support of children’s literacy.

The foundation was created by Lauren and Matt Kirchgessner after they lost their two young children during a vacation in Panama City Beach in December 2020.

“It just means a lot to us that this community has helped us build this foundation down here, and also just the support they’ve given us. It was a super dark time for Matt and I when we lost our kiddos, and this community came together and embraced us,” said Lauren.

The tournament proceeds go towards Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in Bay County, which allows children to get one book per month delivered to their homes. So far, they have reached 2,000 kids in Bay County to sign up, but their goal is 10,000. Click here if you would like to enroll your child.

“We’re here to play in a great charity event that’s been going on for 5 years, and I am proud to say it, I’ve been doing it for five years,” said golfer Rob Anderson.

The Kirchgessners have since welcomed two children, Poppi and Jack, and hope to instill in them the same passion for reading and charity work.

The foundation plans to continue the annual golf tournament in Bay County for years to come.

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