Add Rhode Island’s golf community to the ever-growing list of groups who have nothing but the utmost respect for the Johnston Memorial Cancer Events and its mighty mission.
That proof surfaced long before some 160 golfers teed off Saturday in the JMCE’s 10th Anniversary Tournament at Connecticut National Golf Club in Putnam, Connecticut. It came, people like Chairman Vin LaFazia said, almost as soon as Saturday’s date was announced about four months ago.
The JMCE, by way of its all-volunteer group of friends, has developed a reputation for presenting what many people Saturday called “a golf tourney par excellence.” That label includes every phase of the day-long tourney that has grown from its humble beginnings with only a small field of players into one of the most highly-popular golf events in a three-state area of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts, which all had representation Saturday at the well-groomed and still being improved 18-hole layout.
Some people will tell you it’s the fantastic food featured in the JMCE event. After all, few tournaments – if any – begin the day with a smorgasbord-like lunch that includes charcoal grilled sausage and pepper sandwiches on freshly baked rolls, grilled chicken sandwiches, Ruth Furia’s famous chowder, RI hot wieners and ice-cold non-alcohol beverages then end the day with a buffet dinner-awards presentation in the evening.
The JMCE also served ice cream sandwiches, courtesy of New England Ice Cream and even had food stops on the course where golfers enjoyed Saugy hot dogs and other food items.
Other folks, though, will tell you it’s the JMCE’s mission that has been responsible for tourney sellouts in the past four years.
“After we pay all our expenses, every penny we make is donated to the Oncology-Hematology Units at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence,” LaFazia said. “We’re all about helping children who are unfortunately stricken with or currently battling cancer. That’s what really drives our group”
To date, the JMCE has donated over $125,000 for various cancer related programs at the nationally-acclaimed hospital and proceeds from Saturday’s tourney will be used as part of a the non-profits ambitious five-year commitment to raise an additional $125,000 for those units.
And that, Linda LaFazia – the JMCE’s super volunteer for all seasons and reasons – said Saturday came on the heels of their $25,000 donation from our 2016 fund-raising events.
Although the final numbers for Saturday’s tournament are still being tallied due to an extraordinary list of many new sponsors who joined the JMCE’s on-going fund-raising train, Keith Julian, Andrea DiGiorgio, Kim Kosh and Randy Kosh took home first place in the Co-Ed Division.
But all 160 golfers, many of whom have teed off in previous events, were also big winners and received a specially designed tourney jacket and a goody bag that included a Brewed Awakenings gift card that had $5,000 worth of golf coupons courtesy of the New England Golf Guide.
“Our raffle prizes were exceptional this year,” Linda LaFazia said. “That was due to the hard work John Graham and Joe Harris and all their soliciting.”
Chili’s Stores in Lincoln, Warwick and Bellingham sponsored the pre-tourney putting contest and even had staffers join JMCE volunteers for the day. Brewed Awakenings took its annual sponsorship another step, offering free hot and cold coffee while Dunkin’ Donuts served a host of donuts and other creations.
“We’d like to thank our special sponsors who have been with us for all 10 years,” Linda LaFazia said while thanking Graham Builders, Gentry Moving, Connecticut National Golf Club and Brewed Awakenings.
BJ’s Wholesale Club even provided a birthday cake in honor of the tournament’s 10th year.
Other sponsors that also helped make this year’s tourney special were: Affiliated Insurance mangers, Stop & Shop, Proprint in Johnston, World Trophy, Calise & Sons Bakery, DiGregorio Corporation, Original Italian Bakery, Eramian Sign, New England Ice Cream, Mazzulla Scholarship, Salzillo Scholarship, Tri-Town Liquors and Johnston Recreation Department.
In keeping with tradition, the tournament was again played in memory of the Gelsomino, DeAngelis, Mazzulla, Johnson and Grasso families whose loved ones succumb to cancer.
“They were all looking down upon us today,” Vin LaFazia began with a certain emotion ringing in his voice. “We thought the rain would never stop; just when we started getting ready for lunch, the sun came out. We were again blessed by all our loved who have unfortunately left us but will never – ever – be forgotten.”
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