St Catherine-based Innswood High in Jamaica a main beneficiary

The seventh annual Rafe Cochran Golf Classic closed another successful run last Monday (May 1) at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Teen golfer Rafe Cochran continued his sports charity collaboration with Food For The Poor Inc. (FFTP), as 21 four-player teams were assembled for this year’s event, with proceeds going to fund expansion at Innswood High School in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

Built initially to accommodate 1,200 students, Innswood’s current enrolment is 1,700 students.

In a statement, Food For The Poor explained that proceeds will fund the construction of two new buildings and six classrooms to ease overcrowding, bringing the total to six schools the golf star has supported.

“I’m so grateful to everyone who came out to support us,” Cochran said. “We were blessed with beautiful weather, the golf course was in great shape, and I think everyone had a good time.

“To be able to impact the community through education, I believe, is the strongest gift one can give because education will impact generations to come,” Rafe said during the classic’s awards programme.

“We will continue to help one person, one family and one school at a time.”

His parents, Diahann and Jay Cochran, who have supported him from the outset, agreed with Rafe’s assessment

“We’re very happy with the turnout,” Diahann Cochran said. “I’m just so proud of Rafe for continuing on this journey of helping others.”

“Our family has done a lot of philanthropy over a long period of time,” said Jay Cochran.

“He’s taken it to a whole new level, and I think it’s been a great experience for all of us.”
Ed Raine, president and CEO of FFTP, noted, “We are deeply grateful that Rafe had the wisdom and drive to support Food For The Poor dating back to when he was in grade school, and we look forward to working with him to accomplish even more in the future.”

Young Rafe began making a name in the golfing world at age six. Three years later, he became one of Food For The Poor’s youngest donors, ultimately raising money to build 10 homes in Haiti and five schools in Jamaica including last year’s expansion of McGrath High School in Treadways, St Catherine.

A senior honours student at Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Rafe is looking forward to spending his gap year competing in amateur golf tournaments and taking online courses before attending college.