"We are driven to help children with autism," says Tournament Director and ACT boardmember Stefan de Nocker. "Funds raised with this tournament will help provide autism care and treatment to children whose families can not afford these services."
Last year's 3rd Annual Golf Tournament fundraiser raised over $57,000 for children with autism . The event was hosted by LA Newswoman Gabriela Tessier of Univision and FOX Reality Channel's Househusband's of Hollywood, Grant Reynolds.
Corporate and other warriors of autism care and treatment in attendance included corporate sponsors, community leaders, parents of children with autism, the men of Fox Reality Channel Show - The Househusbands of Hollywood (Former LA Dodgers Bill Ashley, Danny Barclay and Grant Reynolds), Film & TV Actor Basil Wallace, Race car Champion Charles Downes, Film & TV Actor/Director Lou Diamond Phillips, LA's Radio Personality Charlie Tuna of 101FM and Gabriela Tessier of Univision, NFL Champion, Actor Ed Marinaro, and Award-winning Jazz Singer/Pianist Joe Croyle.
"We were delighted to have so many community members, celebrities and corporate sponsors participate in this year's golf tournament fundraiser," says Stefan de Nocker, Tournament Director and ACT- Today! Board member. "This was the most successful ACT Today! Golf Tournament Fundraiser to date and we look forward to having an even larger more successful event in 2010."
Last year's18-hole tournament began at 9:30am with breakfast/registration, followed by a Putting Contest (10:15am) with a chance to win a Porsche for the weekend, courtesy of The Auto Gallery. Following the putting contest, ACT Today! Volunteers lined the pavement holding banners as they cheered the golfers onwards to the course for an 11am Shotgun start. On course, golfers had a chance to Beat the Pro and win cash by golfing against pro golfer Richard Howell. Those who tried their luck at a Hole-in-One had a chance at winning two first class tickets to Paris with four nights of luxurious accommodations, compliments of New York Life Insurance. The tournament concluded with Cocktails/Silent Auction and a special visit by the LA Laker Girls who mingled with the players and later presented awards to the tournament winners.
Last year's 3rd Annual Golf Tournament Winners were:
Closest to the Pin - David Babikan
Longest Drive - Kyle McDonald
Highest Score (tie) - Bill Ashley, Danny Barclay, Shayne Romero, Hale Beau
Highest Score (tie) - Michael Bridge, Steven Polin, Michael Asimov, Ken Ray
2nd Net - Jose Corral, David Babikan, Kyle McDonald
1st Net - Charles Downes, Basil Wallace, Jim Bernard, Henry Wilson
1st Gross - Read Jackson, Ed Marinaro, Roy Hamilton, Doug Sellars
Putting Contest - Tommy Roe
Other participants won a wide variety of raffle prizes from sponsors that include Status the Salon, Chili's, Daphne's Greek Cafe, Hope Wine, Distinctive Assets, SKLZ, Carmen's Kidz & Company.
2009 3rd Annual Corporate Sponsors included the Center for Autism and Related Disorders TWIW Insurance, Carole Young Brooke Foundation, United Healthcare, Hope Wine, CodeMetro, Metromint, Anhueser-Busch; Kirsch, Kohn & Bridge, City National Bank, The Sage Group; New York Life Insurance, Golfsmith, Tina Marie Tyler, and The Auto Gallery.
For the complete list of the 2009 3rd Annual Tournament Sponsors / Donors and Participants, please visit http://www.golfforautism.net and click on ACTivist.
For the complete list of the 2009 3rd Annual Tournament Sponsors / Donors and Participants, please visit http://www.golfforautism.net and click on ACTivist.
"We literally rolled out the red carpet for all of our generous participants. Each and everyone one of them are making a difference in the life of a child with autism. They are helping to spread not only awareness but much needed funds. We hope to see more participants come out next year," says Event Producer Daphne Plump.
To be a sponsor and/or donor of the 4th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser benefiting children with autism, contact Daphne Plump at daphne@act-today.org.