Special Populations Golf Classic this Saturday
Only a limited number of spots are left for the 8th Annual Special Populations Golf Classic.
Hosted by the Guardian Angels for Special Populations, the event will take place Saturday at the Palmetto-Pine Country Club, with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Sponsored by the Cape Coral Professional Firefighters Local 2424, it serves as an annual fund-raiser for the Cape Coral Special Populations.
Vince Marcucci, president of the Guardian Angels, explained that Special Populations is supported financially by the city, but to a limit. It is up to the Guardian Angels to find the rest of the funds.
“It’s really important, so that way we can fund our budget,” he said.
Proceeds from the fund-raisers help to support program activities, supplies and scholarships.
“It’s so well received that it’s our largest fund-raiser of the year,” Marcucci said of the golf classic.
The event will feature four-player teams, with a maximum of 144 golfers permitted. As of Tuesday, there were seven team openings; register as a team, or sign up as an individual and get paired up.
Mayor Marni Sawicki and Councilmembers Rana Erbrick and Rick Williams will take part.
“We’re real excited about that. There’s a lot of support on council for Special Populations,” Marcucci said.
The entry fee is $100 per player and includes a continental breakfast, one round of golf, beverage cart service with free soda, water and snacks during play, a buffet luncheon and complimentary gift bag.
Breakfast will open at 7 a.m., and the luncheon will start at 12:30 p.m.
“There’s also a cash bar available,” Marcucci said.
Last year, approximately 120 players participated and just over $30,000 was raised.
“I’d love to make a few dollars more (this year), but we’re grateful for that if we can get to that same place,” he said. “We think there’s a chance we could sell out, which would be wonderful.”
Players can win up to $800 in cash prizes and $10,000 for a hole-in-one on the most difficult hole.
“We have a bunch of hole-in-one prizes,” Marcucci said, adding that they include a Sharp LCD flatscreen television, a set of Callaway irons and roundtrip domestic airfare for two people.
“There’s some cash prizes, as well,” he said.
Mulligans will be available.
There will be drawings, raffles and a 50/50, with the “grand” prizes on a square board. At $20 per square, players could win a six-day vacation at a home on the southeast coast, valued at $1,500, or a $1,000 piece of jewelry. The raffles and drawings will feature gift certificates for local restaurants.
“Our local businesses support us every year for this tournament,” Marcucci said.
Raffle tickets will cost $5 for six, $10 for 13 or $20 for 30.
“We might have a few silent auction items at the luncheon,” he said.
To register for the golf classic, contact Special Populations at (239) 574-0574 and pay over the phone with a credit card. Players can also register online at: www.myspecialpops.org by using PayPal.
“It’s first come, first served,” Marcucci said.
Cape Coral Special Populations offers activities for local residents with intellectual and physical disabilities. It currently has approximately 140 participants in its day and evening programs.
“It gives the caregivers a little respite,” he said.
There are programs for creative arts, movies, and dining and shopping activities.
“So they get out and get to do things in the community,” Marcucci said, noting that most of the participants are over the age of 21. “There are a few special events open to the greater community.”
Scholarships are provided to some participants, so that they can continue to take part.
“They’ll be engaged in social and creative activities,” he said. “It’s really a quality of life issue.”
Marcucci encouraged people to sign up for the golf classic.
“I think it’s the most value for the money, and it’s for a good cause,” he said.
For more information on the 8th Annual Special Populations Golf Classic, visit online: www.myspecialpops.org or contact the Cape Coral Special Populations at (239) 574-0574.
The Palmetto-Pine Country Club is at 1940 S.W. Ninth Court, Cape Coral.