More than 40 corporate, organizational, and individual donors and sponsors, along with nearly 75 participants and touring LPGA professionals joined forces for a weekend of fun, lively competition, and great philanthropy at the ChampionsGate Golf Resort near Orlando, Florida, January 19-20. The ASHFoundation's popular Golf Benefit Classic, returning for its 11th year, supports the growth of the professions and the advancement of scientific knowledge in our field through the student scholarships, research grants, and clinical achievement programs of the ASHFoundation.
A spirited Pairings Dinner Party and Silent/Live Auction opened the weekend. Attendees competed for the highest bid on beautiful hand-crafted artwork, exquisite jewelry, signed sports memorabilia, and fantastic trips. Internationally renowned motivational speaker, Dr. Robert Winter, a performance enhancement psychologist, was the evening's featured guest. He offered his "tidbits" for improving one's golf game, and spoke about the power of positive thinking and keeping a clear focus.
The highlight of this Benefit is the opportunity for each foursome to play with an LPGA professional, a feature that separates this tournament from other charity golf events. LPGA pros who appeared in this year's benefit included Suzy Whaley, Jean Bartholomew, Beth Bader, Leta Lindley, Becky Lucidi, Jenna Daniels, Jenny Gleason, Emily Bastel, as well as Liz Janangelo and Jeanie Cho, a couple of the newest rookies.
Students from the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association chapters at Florida State University and the University of Central Florida joined other ASHFoundation volunteers assisting with the Par 3 Poker, Guess the Tees, Hole-in-One and other fun activities.
The first-place winners in the Stars Flight were Bob Antonucci, Jack Dilworth, Michael Keeton and R.C. Keeton, who played with LPGA pro Leta Lindley. First-place winners in the Champions Flight were Terry Bernier, Chuck Cochran, and Larry Walker, playing with LPGA pro Beth Bader. The closest to the pin winners were Rosemary LeBlanc and Matt Kane. Longest Drive winners were Debrah Brown, Chuck Cochran, Michael Keeton, and Greg Strang. And the Longest Putt winner was Ron Goldman.
Fundamental to the tournament's success are the corporate, organizational, and individual sponsors and donors who generously contributed funds and resources to the Benefit. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation salutes its 11th Benefit Golf Classic Sponsors. Thank you for investing in the future of the field!