Page 54 - LIN.JANWEB

GOLFERS, MENTORS AND STUDENTS
ALL ARE WINNERS OF

THE IMMOKALEE FOUNDATION’S PRO-AM

by Steven Kissinger
T wenty-six professional golfers – including 2016 PGA dinner and auction November
Champion Jimmy Walker and LPGA Major winner
11 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples.
and 2016 Olympian Lexi Thompson – joined 100 of
Southwest Florida’s most philanthropic golfers on the links for Organization founder Parker
Collier, who joined with other
the 10th annual Charity Classic Pro-Am November 14 at the community leaders to found
Bay Colony Golf Club in Naples. The Immokalee Foundation in
The scramble-style tournament is held annually to raise funds 1991, was honorary chair. The
to benefit the students of Immokalee through the educational evening featured the debut of
and scholarship programs of The Immokalee Foundation, now “Heroes of Immokalee,” a film
in its 25th year. by Los Angeles filmmaker
Charity Classic Co-Chairman and Board Member Don David Serota. The events
O’Neill, who describes The Immokalee Foundation’s major raised a combined total of $2.3
fundraisers as critical to the organization’s mission, also serves million. GERARDO LUGO AND DON O’NEILL AT THE IMMOKALEE FOUNDATION'S 2016
as a mentor. Kevin Johnson again
“Simply stated, mentoring works,” O’Neill said. “I get as chaired the Pro-Am with an
much out of it – if not more – than my two mentees, Alex important assist from PGA and
Galvan and Gerardo Lugo. Both are now in college and have Champions Tour professional
dreams and hopes for the future, Alex in business and Gerardo Mark Lye, a founder of the
in professional golf management. Mentoring is where the rubber tournament. Lye recruited CHARITY CLASSIC PRO-AM
hits the road. Up until two years ago, we had mentors only for other top golfers for the day
our Take Stock in Children program. Now our goal is to have of clinics, demonstrations, a
a mentor for every young person in the foundation’s programs.” round of play and an awards
In addition to the Pro-Am, fundraising for the nonprofit presentation. Among those
the same weekend included the Charity Classic Celebration responding to Lye’s invitation, in addition to Walker and Thompson,
were Briny Baird, Bobby Clampett, Erik Compton, Laura Diaz,
Kendall Dye, Steve Flesch, Tom Gillis, Dudley Hart, Kim Kaufman,
Skip Kendall, Casey Kennedy, Paige Mackenzie, Michelle McGann,
George McNeill, Kristy McPherson, Shaun Micheel, Brooke Pancake,
Charlie Rymer, Chris Smith, Sarah Jane Smith, Kris Tamulis, Kris
Tschetter and Mike Weir.
Bigham Jewelers has been a supporter of the event for years. “When
we first learned about The Immokalee Foundation, we knew it fit
perfectly into our personal and business goals of helping children and
families,” said Gary Bigham. “The dedication and kindness of all of the
board and those associated with the foundation are truly inspiring for
our entire family. We are so thankful for the support our community
has given to our business, which allows us to continue supporting great
organizations like this.
“This year was special for us since our son Chase became the third
generation of the Bigham family to play in the tournament and learn
about The Immokalee Foundation. We are thankful to play a part in
making dreams a reality for so many young children and look forward
to the bright future ahead,” Bigham said.
The top men’s foursome of Kevin Powderly, Will Bobb, Hal Cohen
and Phil Warren played nine holes with Bobby Clampett and nine with
GARY BIGHAM AT THE IMMOKALEE FOUNDATION'S 2016 CHARITY CLASSIC PRO-AM

54 Life in Naples | January 2017