Easter Seals Disability Services

Press Release

12th Annual Meadows Cup Pro-Am Raises $65,000 to
Benefit Easter Seals Southwest Florida

  More than 300 golfers, local PGA pros and volunteers came together for the 12th Annual Meadows Cup Pro-Am Golf Tournament at The Meadows Country Club on Saturday, April 12, raising approximately $65,000 for Easter Seals Southwest Florida.

“This tournament, known as one of the largest and longest running in town, demonstrates an unbelievable commitment of time, talent and dedication on the part of the Meadows Country Club, its volunteer members, our local business leaders, and our Easter Seals staff,” said Bill Lloyd, Easter Seals Southwest Florida CEO. “We are very grateful for everyone’s efforts and for another very successful tournament enjoyed by all. The funds raised will be funneled into much needed programs to help our Easter Seals families.”

Jim Gettel and GM Mike Cestaro of Gettel Hyundai and George Bushong of Administrative Concepts Corp. participated as golfers and presenting sponsors. Sysco and Boars Head donated food for a lavish lunch and dinner banquet, and more than 100 silent auction, raffle items and prizes were donated by dozens of local businesses and individuals.

Winners of The Meadows Cup Pro-Am closest-to-the-pin Par 3 competition were Bob Provost, Bill Neal, David Case, Greg Edwards, Rick Beckwith and David Mitchell. Closest-to-the-pin winners Jimmy Vollenweider, Don Gercio, Doug Mrstik and Al Rivenburgh were contestants for the $1million Jet Blue challenge. Each took one drive at 150-yards trying for a $1 million hole-in-one while attendees stood by in anticipation.

First place winners of the Meadows Course Scramble were Chris Anderson, Nathan Oberle, Lloyd Hart, Erica Popson and Pro Scott Wilhelm. The team taking first place on the Highlands Course Scramble included George Bushong, Eddie Bass, Sean Wolfe, Rick Beckwith and Pro Brad Lanning.

According to The Meadows Country Club General Manager Doug Domino, it costs the club an estimated $12,000 in lost revenue for the day to host this event, counting shutting down two championship courses that can accompany up to 400 rounds and two restaurants. The staff spends six months preparing and Club volunteers donate over 1,000 man hours to ensure the Meadows Cup Pro Am remains among the crème de le crème of golf tournaments.

“There are more than enough charity golf tournaments in our area,” says Domino. “We work hard to make ours stand out.”

Easter Seals has remained the charity of choice for The Meadows Country Club since the tournament’s inception.

“We’re so impressed with the services Easter Seals offers to children, youth and adults with disabilities, we and our volunteer members go the extra mile so these folks realize the most profit possible,” Domino says.

Since The Meadows Cup Pro-Am’s beginning 12 years ago, the tournament has raised more than $600,000 for Easter Seals Southwest Florida. Russ Marquardt, Director of Volunteers of Meadows Country Club,
has volunteered 12 years in a row. World Golf Hall of Famer Tony Jacklin, a resident of Manatee County, was this year’s Honorary Chair. 
 
Thank You to Our 2008 Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsors:
Administrative Concepts
Gettel Hyundai Sarasota

Contributing Sponsors:
ABC 7 -- WWSB TV
Boar's Head
Bud Light - Gold Coast Eagle Distributor
Sysco Foods
VF Imagewear

Jet Blue Challenge Sponsor:
Phillip Roy Financial Services

Other Special Sponsors:
Bradenton Herald
Coca-Cola
VIP World Travel

Platinum Sponsors:
AXA Advisors/Harvey Small
Andrick and Associates, Inc.
BB&T - Wyman, Green & Blalock
Beth and Geoff Bender
Boar's Head
Christopher, Smith, Leonard, Bristow & Stanell, P.A. 
Club Car
CVS Pharmacy
Edward Don & Company
Express Personnel Services
Fidelity Investments
Ginger Judge
Global Organic Specialty Source
Grossman, Roth & Partridge
Kleiber DeVito Real Estate Group
Lydian Bank & Trust
Miller Gesko
Porges, Hamlin, Knowles, Prouty, Thompson & Najmy, P.A.
Publix Super Market Charities
Raymond James and Associates
Rooks Advertising
Spotlight Graphics
Sun Trust Banks
Target Graphics
The Mark Wandall Foundation
U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management
W.G. Mills
Wachovia Charitable Services
Wachovia Wealth Management