Page 60 - April 2016 Life In Naples Magazine

INTER-CLUB CHALLENGE

CHAIRMAN AND TIF STUDENT
SHOW WHAT INTRODUCTIONS CAN DO

by Steven Kissinger

T he Immokalee Foundation, which is gearing up for its annual
Inter-Club Challenge golf tournament May 5, has found that
introducing students to role models, new activities and the world
beyond their doorsteps is invaluable. It always leads to unexpected

benefits and outcomes that make the students’ futures so much brighter.

Sometimes it’s downright surprising. Gerardo Lugo is an 18-year-

old college freshman. When he was about 10 years old, a friend invited

him to a First Tee program, which teaches golf to kids. He wasn’t keen

on the idea. “I didn’t think golf was my cup of tea,” Lugo said. “Ever since

then I wanted to go back and play every day.”

Lugo found out about The Immokalee Foundation through his

involvement with First Tee. So when he reached seventh grade, Lugo

applied and was selected for TIF’s Take Stock in Children scholarship

program. “I was lucky enough to receive a mentor, too, and Don O’Neill

has helped me get where I am now,” said Lugo, who is pursuing a degree

in professional golf management at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Some years after his First Tee experiences, Lugo began playing in

The Immokalee Foundation’s Charity Classic Pro-Am and Inter-Club

Challenge tournaments, getting tips from top professional and amateur

golfers, meeting successful business and professional adults, and further DAVID STEELE, 2016 INTER-CLUB CHALLENGE CHAIR WITH
fueling his love for the game. JOSEPH ZEDNIK,TIF BOARD CHAIR

This year’s Inter-Club Challenge takes place on the eastern courses in Scotland, Holland, Germany and Morocco, as well as “up

at Bonita Bay Naples, a superior venue benefiting the 10th annual and down the eastern US seaboard,” he said. Steele now plays

event. “The courses are tremendous and full of wildlife,” said Bonita Bay most often at Quail Creek Country Club and will be among

resident Chuck Campbell, who chaired the Inter-Club Challenge for golfers from all over the area at Bonita Bay for this year’s Inter-

several years. “The tournament is a great way to increase our exposure to Club Challenge.

various clubs throughout Southwest Florida and for such a great cause Steele learned about The Immokalee Foundation through a

– the kids in Immokalee.” friend,TIF’s board president Joseph Zednik.“My wife, Joshlyn,

For the first time, the winning foursome at the Inter-Club Challenge and I wanted to help out a bit, to be a part of the students’

will receive free entry into TIF’s November Charity Classic Pro-Am lives,” Steele said. So he became involved in TIF’s event this

tournament, worth $20,000. year and is excited to share his experience, knowledge and love

Golf is now part of Lugo’s weekly volunteer and work life, as well. He of the game.

works part time in the cart barn at Wildcat Run in Estero, although he The Immokalee Foundation provides a range of education

said he doesn’t consider it work at all because it’s so much fun. He also programs that focus on building pathways to success through

manages to devote time each week to teaching 5- to 8-year-olds now college and post-secondary preparation and support,mentoring

in First Tee at Alico Family Golf. “They’re kids just learning the game, and tutoring, opportunities for broadening experiences, and

and they don’t know the fundamentals,” Lugo said. “So they try to hit life skills development leading to economic independence. To

the ball, and they miss all the time. So you help them and they hit it and learn more about TIF, its signature events, volunteering as a

their faces light up.” mentor, making a donation, including TIF in your estate plans,

Inter-Club Challenge 2016 Chairman David Steele also grew up with or for additional information, call 239.430.9122 or visit www.

the game; his father was the pro at Audubon Country Club in Naples immokaleefoundation.org.

for 28 years. After graduating from FGCU, the younger Steele played StevenKissinger,executivedirectorofTheImmokaleeFoundation,

professionally for five years on an international scale, with tournaments can be reached at steven.kissinger@immokaleefoundation.org.

60 Life in Naples | April 2016