By DALE JONES

Staff Writer

djones@gulfcoastnewspapers.com

Caitlin Buemi loved to smile and she had a knack for making others smile and laugh as well. Those who knew her knew how much she loved soccer, loved her church, loved her friends — loved life.

In March, teens in both Gulf Shores and Foley lost a special friend. Buemi was killed in an automobile accident on Lawson Road near South Juniper Street when she lost control of her vehicle, hit a telephone pole and flipped her car into a ditch.

Caitlin, who was planning to attend the University of Alabama to major in Sports Medicine, had transferred from Gulf Shores High School to Foley High School midway through her junior year in 2009.  

In addition to her love for soccer and running cross country, Caitlin was a former member of the Gulf Shores High School cheering squad, was a competition cheerleader with Flip City and would have been a varsity cheerleader at Foley during her senior year in 2010.

Notably, the 16-year-old was a good student and on the school honor roll with an A-B average.

Although friends and family miss her more than words can say, those closest to her want to keep her memory alive and help others by giving scholarships in Caitlin’s name.

“Caitlin would have been a senior this year and we did not want to let the year go by without doing something in her honor,” said Caitlin’s mom Niki Buemi Grady.

On Nov. 13, Glen Lakes Golf Club in Foley will host the first  Caitlin Buemi Memorial Golf Tournament.

Organizers hope to make it an annual event.

Included in the tournament fee will be a round of golf, dinner and numerous door prizes.

Individuals can sign up to play for only $85, or a group of four can play for $300.

Proceeds from the tournament will go to provide scholarships to students at both Gulf Shores and Foley High School, as well as to a participant involved at Flip City.

“We hope to provide scholarships of between $500 and $1,000,” Grady said.

Business sponsorship and Tee sponsors are available as well.

Those interested in playing to help keep Caitlin’s memory alive should contact Niki (Buemi) Grady at 251-508-0354.