Club managers tee off with Marathon Golf for kids' charities

BOCA RATON, Fla. - July 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Florida’s Seminole Region of the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) is hitting the greens for their annual charity golf tournament to raise money for children’s charities. The event has two components – Marathon Golf, now in its fourth year, from May 13 to June 2, followed by the 24^th Annual Best Ball Tournament. For Marathon Golf, the Managers’ membership, their recruits and other entrants tee off at several area courses with pledges made for every hole of golf played.  Last year, the Seminole Region of the Florida CMAA raised over $500,000, of which $100,000 was collected by the Marathon Golfers. This year’s goal is $200,000.  The one-day Best Ball Tournament will then be held at Boca West on June 9^th preceded by the Grand Gala on the 8^th attended by over 800 guests.

The Best Ball tournament is one of the most impressive golf events of its kind with over 400 participants on four courses. No other one-day tournament has this many golfers participating for a single charity. At the same time, the Marathon event is also unlike other tournaments - “unconventional” by many standards.

“Yes, we adhere to the basic scoring rules of golf, but that’s where it ends. It’s not about protocol, it’s about having fun while raising money.  In essence, we challenge everyone to play until they drop,” mused Gary Collins, tournament committee member and country club manager at Frenchman’s Reserve. “A standard PGA tournament is 72 holes. With Marathon Golf, some of us have played more than 140 holes and finish up playing in the dark with flashlights!”

"The objective with this event is to make a dramatic difference in the lives of thousands of children in need through our beneficiaries,” explained Jay DiPietro, tournament chairman and manager of Boca West Country Club. “We always strive to surpass the funds raised the previous year. This year is no exception.”

Virtually all the proceeds go directly to the South Florida chapters of the various charities.  The Marathon Golf event has no overhead, greens fees are waived and all the food for the Gala is donated. Beneficiary charities include Toys for Tots, The Special Olympics, SOS Children’s Villages, The George Snow Scholarship Fund, The Unicorn Children’s Foundation, FlorenceFullerChildDevelopmentCenters and The First Tee of the Palm Beaches.

“Our mission is to impact the lives of young people, including those with disabilities, with educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing core values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf,” said Carl Mistretta, executive chairman of The First Tee of the Palm Beaches. “We’re excited to be working with the Florida Seminole Region of CMAA. Their programs truly embody the values we teach at First Tee.”

To sign up your company or club for Marathon Golf, call Gary Collins at 561-261-3554. To sign up for the June 8 and 9^th Charity Golf Event contact Darlene Wright at Boca West Country Club at dwright@bocawestcc.org or 561-488-6990.  If you simply wish to make a tax-deductable donation, make check payable to “The Seminole Region Charity Tournament” and send to Gary Collins, Marathon Golf, Frenchman’s Reserve Country Club, 3370 Grande Corniche,  Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410.

CAPTION:

A team from last year’s event played a Mirasol Marathon record 111 holes and raised $20,000. (L-R) Tennis Pro JT Thatcher, Head Golf Pro Mark Puls, Food & Beverage Manager Ryan Schultz

About The CMAA (http://www.cmaa.org/)

The Club Managers Association of America is the professional Association for managers of membership clubs. The CMAA has close to 6,500 members who manage more than 2,500 country, golf, city, athletic, faculty, yacht, town and military clubs. The objectives are to promote friendly relations among management of clubs and other associations of similar character, to encourage the education and advancement of members, and to assist club officers, managers and members in implementing efficient and successful operations.