Naples Lakes Country Club
2023 Fund Raising and Golf Tournament
Supporting Home Base of Florida
Through the very generous contributions of our members and organizations, Naples Lakes generated $53,000 to benefit our veterans through Home Base.
Through the very generous contributions of our members and organizations, Naples Lakes generated $53,000 to benefit our veterans through Home Base.
Our check was presented following a standing-only event at Arnie's including entertainment.
Our check was presented following a standing-only event at Arnie's including entertainment.
Since our first event in 2019, Naples Lakes has raised $185,000 for this great organization. We are making a difference!
Since our first event in 2019, Naples Lakes has raised $185,000 for this great organization. We are making a difference!
First Row: Jason Cooper (Home Base), Pat Laird, John Harrison, Armando Hernandez (Home Base)
Second Row: Gail Tillinghast, Maggie Brooks, Amy Fox Third Row: Jim Pusateri, Sal Branca, Rick Myer
What follows is a summary of activities on Nov. 18 and 19 and a list of some of the many who volunteered their time and effort that resulted in such a great success.
What follows is a summary of activities on Nov. 18 and 19 and a list of some of the many who volunteered their time and effort that resulted in such a great success.
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Saturday, November 18, 2023
This year, we expanded our effort to include two days of activities. On Saturday, November 18, we had a day of activities. These started with a car show by the Cool Cruisers. This club of volunteers presented Jason Cooper of Home Base with a check in the amount of $500.
This year, we expanded our effort to include two days of activities. On Saturday, November 18, we had a day of activities. These started with a car show by the Cool Cruisers. This club of volunteers presented Jason Cooper of Home Base with a check in the amount of $500.
Those strolling by the cars could pick up a hot dog and a drink arranged for by our Naples Lakes F&B staff.
Those strolling by the cars could pick up a hot dog and a drink arranged for by our Naples Lakes F&B staff.
Evan Holewinski built the island green that allowed people to test their chipping skills and earn chances to a raffle based on the number of points they earned. This was done under the watchful eyes of Amy Fox and Maggie Brooks who manned this event.
Evan Holewinski built the island green that allowed people to test their chipping skills and earn chances to a raffle based on the number of points they earned. This was done under the watchful eyes of Amy Fox and Maggie Brooks who manned this event.
Bocce competition attracted a number of participants for this event managed by Mark Ferencz and Gene Krebsbach. Points earned from this competition translated into chances in a raffle for prizes.
Bocce competition attracted a number of participants for this event managed by Mark Ferencz and Gene Krebsbach. Points earned from this competition translated into chances in a raffle for prizes.
One event that really took off this year was our house tour. This event was dreamed up by Betty Carroccia. Camille Walton promoted the idea to the Home Base Team and it was enthusiastically endorsed.
One event that really took off this year was our house tour. This event was dreamed up by Betty Carroccia. Camille Walton promoted the idea to the Home Base Team and it was enthusiastically endorsed.
The committee of Betty Carroccia, Ann Marie Lawler, and Amy Grambeau worked with Camille Walton and her volunteers to make this a successful event that generated $1,900,00. Nine homeowners opened their doors for this event.
The committee of Betty Carroccia, Ann Marie Lawler, and Amy Grambeau worked with Camille Walton and her volunteers to make this a successful event that generated $1,900,00. Nine homeowners opened their doors for this event.
Our thanks go to all the volunteers and homeowners who made this event so successful.
Our thanks go to all the volunteers and homeowners who made this event so successful.
The silent auction extended over Saturday and Sunday and included many items from area restaurants, golf courses, gift certificates, and much more. Our General Manager and Executive Chef Chris once again made themselves available to cook and serve a special meal and wines. This generated more than any other item.
The silent auction extended over Saturday and Sunday and included many items from area restaurants, golf courses, gift certificates, and much more. Our General Manager and Executive Chef Chris once again made themselves available to cook and serve a special meal and wines. This generated more than any other item.
Our own artist, Camille Walton, donated some oil paintings that were very popular in the Auction and raised a lot of money. Camille also donated her talent and oversaw the Auction, including settling up with the high bidders.
Our own artist, Camille Walton, donated some oil paintings that were very popular in the Auction and raised a lot of money. Camille also donated her talent and oversaw the Auction, including settling up with the high bidders.
None of this would have been possible were it not for the tireless efforts of Gail Tillinghast who spearheaded the Silent Auction for the third year. This year's Auction resulted in over $11,000 of contributions, bringing the three-year total to well over $33,000.
None of this would have been possible were it not for the tireless efforts of Gail Tillinghast who spearheaded the Silent Auction for the third year. This year's Auction resulted in over $11,000 of contributions, bringing the three-year total to well over $33,000.
Once again, Jim Wilson and his volunteers lined our streets and activity sites with flags. The volunteers include Jan Wilson, Bob VanZel, Ray Becker, Jim Kierney, Pat Laird, Peter Logan, Tony Mignini, Dan Pugliese, Greg Walthrip, Joel Chambers, Dan Meiers, Frank Reimer, and Mark Ferencz.
Once again, Jim Wilson and his volunteers lined our streets and activity sites with flags. The volunteers include Jan Wilson, Bob VanZel, Ray Becker, Jim Kierney, Pat Laird, Peter Logan, Tony Mignini, Dan Pugliese, Greg Walthrip, Joel Chambers, Dan Meiers, Frank Reimer, and Mark Ferencz.
There's much more than putting the more than 500 flags. After taking them down, each flagstaff is washed and left to dry before storing for the next use. The flags were purchased by the Celebration Memorial Fund.
There's much more than putting the more than 500 flags. After taking them down, each flagstaff is washed and left to dry before storing for the next use. The flags were purchased by the Celebration Memorial Fund.
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Pat Laird was co-chair of the two days of events and led the opening ceremony before our morning shotgun start. Once again, the Golden Gate High School JROTC served as the color guard and we were fortunate to have our own Geri Gale who sang the National Anthem. This year, we went to new heights with a flyover. With the help of Sal Branca, we have forged a new relationship with our neighbors at Wing South which had two planes fly over our driving range moments following the National Anthem.
Pat Laird was co-chair of the two days of events and led the opening ceremony before our morning shotgun start. Once again, the Golden Gate High School JROTC served as the color guard and we were fortunate to have our own Geri Gale who sang the National Anthem. This year, we went to new heights with a flyover. With the help of Sal Branca, we have forged a new relationship with our neighbors at Wing South which had two planes fly over our driving range moments following the National Anthem.
There was much more fun than golf as the tournament participants moved through our 18 holes.
There was much more fun than golf as the tournament participants moved through our 18 holes.
On the 5th hole, there was a closest-to-the-pin contest with cash prizes. Participants received raffle tickets for a drawing for the Masters for 2 people including tickets, accommodations, and transportation. This drawing will take place in January, 2024.
On the 5th hole, there was a closest-to-the-pin contest with cash prizes. Participants received raffle tickets for a drawing for the Masters for 2 people including tickets, accommodations, and transportation. This drawing will take place in January, 2024.
On the 7th hole, golfers were greeted by JROTC members eager to do push-ups, for a contribution. Half of the money raised for the push-ups went to the JROTC program and half went to Home Base.
On the 7th hole, golfers were greeted by JROTC members eager to do push-ups, for a contribution. Half of the money raised for the push-ups went to the JROTC program and half went to Home Base.
The 15th hole had a lot of activity. Jell-O shots brewed by Mike Leonard were made available to all. After one (or two, or...) each golfer had a chance to participate in a closest-to-the-pin competition. Once again, this activity was arranged by Cindy Sauer and the 18-hole ladies' golf group.
The 15th hole had a lot of activity. Jell-O shots brewed by Mike Leonard were made available to all. After one (or two, or...) each golfer had a chance to participate in a closest-to-the-pin competition. Once again, this activity was arranged by Cindy Sauer and the 18-hole ladies' golf group.
While organized by the ladies, Rick McKallagut couldn't pass up the opportunity to grab the mic and add to the fun with his announcing golfers and ribbing many in the process.
While organized by the ladies, Rick McKallagut couldn't pass up the opportunity to grab the mic and add to the fun with his announcing golfers and ribbing many in the process.
The 18th hole included a cannon shot of about 470 yards from the II tee to the green. Each player's ball was loaded into the cannon. The player aimed and shot their own golf ball to the green. What we learned early on is that the flight of the ball was significantly impacted by the wind, and was it a windy day! In addition, the quality of the ball impacted its flight.
The 18th hole included a cannon shot of about 470 yards from the II tee to the green. Each player's ball was loaded into the cannon. The player aimed and shot their own golf ball to the green. What we learned early on is that the flight of the ball was significantly impacted by the wind, and was it a windy day! In addition, the quality of the ball impacted its flight.
While not every ball found the green, every golfer had a chance to putt 5 feet to the hole. With few exceptions, teams had a net double eagle (albatross) on this hole.
While not every ball found the green, every golfer had a chance to putt 5 feet to the hole. With few exceptions, teams had a net double eagle (albatross) on this hole.
Here you see Frank Abruzzo getting ready to hit his ball to the 18th green. With Frank is Matt who, with his wife, put a smile on every golfer who passed by. Everyone had a "blast"!
Here you see Frank Abruzzo getting ready to hit his ball to the 18th green. With Frank is Matt who, with his wife, put a smile on every golfer who passed by. Everyone had a "blast"!
Following golf, our F&B staff shined with a plated roast beef lunch with all the trimmings. The great meal was followed by the closing ceremony led by John Harrison. The closing started with the Armed Forces Melody where everyone stood up when their song was played, whether it was their branch of service or the branch for someone they know. It was festive.
Following golf, our F&B staff shined with a plated roast beef lunch with all the trimmings. The great meal was followed by the closing ceremony led by John Harrison. The closing started with the Armed Forces Melody where everyone stood up when their song was played, whether it was their branch of service or the branch for someone they know. It was festive.
The ceremony included some passionate words about Home Base and how it helps area veterans and their families.
The ceremony included some passionate words about Home Base and how it helps area veterans and their families.
The Silent Auction ended shortly after the conclusion of the closing ceremony.
The Silent Auction ended shortly after the conclusion of the closing ceremony.
All this would not have been possible without the hard work and support of all of our staff. In many cases, they went above and beyond to make these events so successful. The events would not have been possible were it not for the hard work of the many volunteers who manned the registration desks, coordinated activities, and more. There are a few who participated on the Steering Committee and worked for months planning and finally implementing. That hard work translated into very successful events that resulted in the $53,000 raised to benefit our veterans who served our wonderful country.
All this would not have been possible without the hard work and support of all of our staff. In many cases, they went above and beyond to make these events so successful. The events would not have been possible were it not for the hard work of the many volunteers who manned the registration desks, coordinated activities, and more. There are a few who participated on the Steering Committee and worked for months planning and finally implementing. That hard work translated into very successful events that resulted in the $53,000 raised to benefit our veterans who served our wonderful country.
Steering Committee Members
Steering Committee Members
Sal Branca
Sal Branca
Maggie Brooks
Maggie Brooks
Betty Carroccia
Betty Carroccia
Mark Ferencz
Mark Ferencz
Amy Fox
Amy Fox
John Harrison
John Harrison
Pat Laird
Pat Laird
Nancy MacDonald
Nancy MacDonald
Rick Myers
Rick Myers
Jim Pusateri
Jim Pusateri
Cindy Sauer
Cindy Sauer
David Starman
David Starman
Gail Tillinghast
Gail Tillinghast
Camille Walton
Camille Walton