MLB prospect Chase Petty continues charity work with golf fundraiser

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP Chase Petty stood by his golf cart as several people walked up to him for a handshake or a hug.

It was a gorgeous day for golf, and an even better day for Petty to see some old friends and raise money for a cause that hits very close to home to the rising baseball player.

On Sunday, Petty hosted the inaugural Chase Petty Charity Golf Classic at Harbor Pines Golf Club, a course he's enjoyed playing over the years and felt was the perfect spot to host this tournament.

"It's a great turnout, better than we expected, honestly," said Petty, a 21-year-old rising prospect in the Cincinnati Reds organization.

"I'm just happy everybody showed up and is supporting the foundation." Eighty-four golfers made up 21 teams that signed up for the tournament.

At $200 a player, plus the raffling of sports memorabilia, the event raised thousands of dollars to benefit the Millville Babe Ruth League.

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"I know me and my friends all wished we had that growing up.

Being able to give those kids that eventually is the ultimate goal." Petty started his foundation in 2023, just two years after he graduated from Mainland Regional High School in 2021.

Though Petty starred at Mainland, he grew up in Millville, where he didn't have the easiest childhood, and he knew many other kids who had the same experience.

He moved to Somers Point in the middle of his freshman year of high school.

Addiction and abuse plagued adults in his life.

So that's all I really knew," Petty said.

"I grew up without running water for around six years of my life, on-and-off electricity, so I had it rough.

"But those situations, what I went through, that's what made me who I am, and I wouldn't change it for the world.

I know kids who are living (in Millville) dealing with similar situations that I went through, and I want to be that outlet and give back to that community." To remember his roots, Petty created the Chase Petty Foundation , committed to making a profound difference in the lives of underprivileged children in Millville.

The foundations goal is to empower and inspire children, providing them with the resources, support and opportunities they need to realize their full potential.

The foundation is dedicated to education, community engagement, health and wellness, career and life opportunities and cultural and recreational enrichment.

"Everybody always knew his talent would be there," said Petty's coach at Mainland, Billy Kern.

"In terms of his maturity, and now philanthropy, his concern for others is something special and something we're real proud of personally and as a program." Sunday's tournament included a dinner.

Several friends and family to Petty, as well as former Mainland teammates, turned out.

Others remembered watching Petty pitch at Mainland, where pro baseball scouts lined the fences to see the hard-throwing right-hander.

Stefan Rivard, whose whose daughter, Celena, graduated from Mainland and is best friends with Petty's fiancee, Brooke Albuquerque, and will be her maid of honor, marveled at how Petty, who at his age could be focused on his career, has made his charity a top priority in his life.

"Chase is such a good guy," said Rivard, who loved watching Petty pitch in high school.

"You would think a guy like that, it wouldn't be second nature for him to do something like that.

But he's a good kid." Petty's foursome was comprised of his best friend and fellow Mainland alum, Luke Sharp, who will be the best man at Petty's wedding next month; Mateo Medina, another Mainland graduate; and Tanner Cooper, who played Single-A and High-A ball with Petty in the Reds' organization.

"There's so many people here who have put a smile on my face (today) and put a smile on my face throughout the years," Petty said.

"Them coming out here supporting me means the world to me." Petty was selected 26th overall by the Minnesota Twins out of high school in that year's draft.

The Twins later traded him to the Reds as part of a deal for veteran starter Sonny Gray.

Since then, Petty has climbed steadily through the Reds' system.

He made a couple of starts for their Triple-A team, the Louisville Bats, at the end of the minor league season.

Ranked as the No.

8 prospect on the Reds by MLB Pipeline, Petty is in a position to be considered to make the major league team out of spring training in 2025.

Petty is using his growing star power for good through these acts.

The foundation's first fundraiser, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, was held in January.

It raised money toward the dream of a youth center.

On Sunday, the golf tournament was expected to raise thousands more.

"Being able to be that outlet for kids and kind of give back to that community, because I know growing up if I didn't have the outlets I had, the friends I had growing up, I know that I wouldn't be in the position that I am in today," Petty said.

"I owe all of my thanks to that community, and I want to be able to give back to them." Petty Contact John Russo: 609-272-7184 [email protected] Twitter: @ACPress_Russo Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox! Digital producer Author twitter Author email {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items..

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