Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Many seek to support organizations such as the American Heart Association. 

In Winchester, one prominent teenager helped take the proverbial bull by the horns. 

Local resident and George Rogers Clark High School student Mallory Jones, who was named Miss Kentucky’s Teen in June and will partake in national competition toward the end of 2024, worked alongside the organization to set up the Heart of a Champion Golf Classic at Winchester Country Club on Saturday, November 2. 

“It took definitely a few months of preparation. A golf scramble is a big [event] to take on, but I just kept reminding myself how important it is to raise funds for the American Heart Association,” said Jones. 

For Jones, supporting the American Heart Association and similar organizations has a special meaning. 

While in middle school, it was discovered that she had non-classical Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. 

Though the discovery led to future medical treatment and ended her sports playing days, Jones has moved forward and been active in raising awareness of cardiac issues in several ways. 

She’s played an active role in promoting and getting legislation passed, and – through her community service initiative called “Be Smart. Love Your Heart!” – continues to fundraise and more in an effort to help eradicate heart disease. 

Heath Green, the Director of Miss Kentucky’s Teen, also spoke. 

“It is our first time doing it here in Winchester,” he said. “For women…[the] leading cause of death is by heart failure or some kind of cardiac event. To be able to pair [American Heart Association and Miss Kentucky’s Teen] together makes total sense.” 

At the event, members of the American Heart Association were present to hand out a variety of items to over 15 teams of golfers – including water bottles, stress balls, koozies, and more. 

Plus, Winchester Country Club made sure to cook up different food items – such as burgers and chicken – so that others could enjoy a 12:00 p.m. lunch. 

The golfers present included GRC alums Jace Taylor and Jacob Settles, both of whom competed for the school at state competition and are now competing for their respective schools. 

Troy Pelfrey, a Lexington resident, was another participant along with three fellow golfers who made up a team. 

“I [had] just seen a flyer and [saw] it was for the American Heart Association, which is a good cause,” he said. “More than how it makes me feel, it’s just about helping out.” 

Jones hopes to continue supporting heart health throughout the next several months. 

“It’s so refreshing and makes me feel so loved to have all these people come join me today,” she said.