The Immokalee Foundation held its 10th Inter-Club Challenge tournament, which brought together 60 golfers from Southwest Florida’s most prestigious communities, local country club pros and TIF corporate sponsors to raise money for the nonprofit’s programs, which support a brighter future for Immokalee students. The tournament, held at Bonita Bay Club Naples on May 5, raised more than $58,000.
First place was captured by the Hideout Golf Club team, including Howard Moss, Joe Maston, Harry Boardsen and Tim Kinfella with golf pro Justin Bertsch. The winners earned bragging rights and a traveling trophy to display at their clubhouse for the next year.
Second place went to the Bay Colony Golf Club and its squad of Richard Crawford, Lori Crawford, Joyce Hagen and Jim O’Connor with Old Collier golf pro Steve Waugh.
Bonita Bay Club took third place, with its team of George Krouse, Don Boudreau, Don Sanneman and Randy Wilcox with golf pro Ric Nalyd.
John Costigan won both of the tournament’s closest-to-the-pin competitions.
“Everybody had a great time. The weather was beautiful, the turnout was good and the student team had a blast,” said David Steele, Inter-Club Challenge tournament chairman and TIF board member. “The Hideout Golf Club team with pro Justin Bertsch was so happy to be able to take the trophy back to the Hideout for display. They were proud of their victory.”
A team of TIF students – including Joel Guerrero, Elijah Arreaga, Gerardo Lugo and Erick Hidalgo – had the opportunity to interact with their benefactors and played as a foursome alongside Bonita Bay Club’s assistant golf pro, Rob Churchill.
It was Guerrero’s first time on the links. “At the beginning I was terrible. By the end, our coach (Churchill) said I was a really good player. It was truly fun, and I actually want to play again,” said Guerrero, a TIF Junior Career Development Program student.
“None of this is possible without our sponsors and donors, and the logistic support of Ariane Willis and the TIF team,” Steele added. “We’re thankful for the support of the patrons, players and pros, and especially Bonita Bay Club for hosting the event.”
Corporate sponsors of this year’s Inter-Club Challenge were Florida Community Bank, presenting sponsor; Arthrex Inc. and Caterpillar Inc., partner circle sponsors; Jaguar Naples, Porsche of Naples and Kelly Tractor, education circle sponsors; Naples Illustrated, media sponsor; Huntington Bank, success circle sponsor; and MidwestOne Bank, pathways circle sponsor.
The Inter-Club Challenge is the first in a series of three annual fundraising events to benefit the youth of Immokalee. TIF’s largest fundraiser of the year, the Charity Classic Celebration – Nov. 11 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples – gives guests the chance to “Fund A Dream” in a live bidding experience that enables TIF students to have unique life and educational opportunities. The Classic Pro-Am, slated for Nov. 14 at Bay Colony Golf Club, pairs foursomes with a professional player for the first nine holes, and another professional player for the second nine holes.
The Immokalee Foundation provides a range of education programs that focus on building pathways to success through college and post-secondary preparation and support, mentoring and tutoring, opportunities for broadening experiences, and life skills development leading to economic independence. To learn more about TIF, its signature events, volunteering as a mentor, making a donation, including TIF in your estate plans, or for additional information, call 239-430-9122 or visit www.immokaleefoundation.org.
