January 26, 2009
Mirasol Country Club
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
More Information Available Soon!
First Annual Golf Tournament Recap
The Bubel/Aiken Foundation held its first annual golf tournament, Golfing for Inclusion on January 7, 2008 at Mirasol Country Club. The event was co-hosted by Clay Aiken and PGA professional Wayne Player.
Supporters of TBAF played golf and participated in a post-golf celebration to benefit the Foundation's mission of inclusion for children with disabilities.
Some Highlights:
• Once golfers had registered and received their goody bags, they enjoyed brunch, practiced their game, observed an interactive golf lesson with Wayne and Clay, and played 18 holes on the prestigious and challenging Mirasol course.
• After golfers completed their rounds, many welcomed their guests and enjoyed a buffet dinner. Wayne and Jerry Aiken, Executive Director of the Foundation, welcomed everyone to the celebration and recognized the top three foursomes. The winning groups received autographed Masters flags, signed by either Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, or Gary Player.
• After dinner both Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel addressed the attendees about the importance of inclusion for children with and without disabilities—the Foundation’s origin and mission.
• Clay and Diane then presented a $15,000 grant in conjunction with the Foundation's Let's ALL Play program to Vicki Pugh, executive director, and Janice Labat, program director, of the Peter Blum Family YMCA of Boca Raton so that they can expand the inclusive programs they have been implementing for twenty years.
• Marty Sheets, an golfer with Down syndrome, who has been included in activities with typical peers his entire life attended and showed his support for the Foundation's mission. Marty competed in the golf and his uncle Bob Ferrone gave special recognition to Marty’s achievements including most recently being named 2006 PGA Volunteer of the Year.
• The evening concluded with a live auction and special performance by Clay. The live auction included one of a kind items and opportunities, including a trip to the 2008 Masters, a framed Masters flag autographed by Palmer, Nicklaus, and Player, and two dinner experiences with Clay in New York!
Our first Golfing for Inclusion event was well-received by all involved, and the feedback from attendees has confirmed the Foundation’s desire to make this an annual event. Due to the Mirasol staff and fantastic volunteers, the event ran seamlessly. Mirasol has invited us to return next year to their facility.
Through the generous participation of the golfers and their guests, The Foundation was able to raise over $60,000 to support its mission of including children in programs like the Let's ALL Play program which brings an inclusive summer camp experience to recreational programs.
The Foundation received many donations from local and national companies that helped to make both the silent and live auction a success.
The Foundation also achieved another goal by reaching out and receiving strong support from corporate sponsors like John Hancock, American Portfolios, Edwin Watts, PokerStars.com, and many others.
See our Sponsor and Donor Page by clicking here.
Golfers get ready to set out for their rounds.
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Wayne gives a golf lesson to the participants.
2008 Golfing for Inclusion Champions and Clay (L-R):
Craig Sanscrainte, Shane DiNatali, Fred Rogers
Winners took home autographed Masters flags.
Clay and Diane present a check to the Peter Blum Family YMCA.
Marty Sheets demonstrated the benefits of inclusion.
Golfers take the time to bid on auction items.
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