If you want to play in one of New England’s most popular and important golf tournaments, you’d better act fast; the 13th Annual Johnston Memorial Golf Tournament is nearing another record sellout.
“We’re all excited because we’ve had so much reaction during the first 10 days of registration,” Linda LaFazia, secretary of the highly-acclaimed Johnston Memorial Cancer Center, offered. “We’re always overwhelmed with the support golfers – and sponsors – have provided for this tournament through the years!”
Perhaps the single most important reason for the ongoing sellouts – and ever-increasing sponsors – is that the JMCE has raised nearly $250,000 for Hasbro Children’s Hospital since the tourney began 12 years ago and most recently completed an ambitious five-year, $1000 commitment for renovation projects in four years.
Yet another reason for the JMCE’s unmatched success is because the annual golf go-around is more than just an 18-hole benefit tournament that’s played every year in memory of the late Raymond Johnson, John Furia, Frances Grasso, Sal Gelsomino, Anna Mazzulla and Laura DeAngelis.
The JMCE Golf Tournament, you see, is a fun food-fest that people have often compared to as an “extraordinary family reunion” that began with just a few friends whose loved ones succumbed to cancer and thus committee members made a pledge to help children who are battling cancer at the nationally-acclaimed Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.
Even the JMCE committee members’ families volunteer in a number of capacities from cooking the signature sausage and pepper sandwiches as well as preparing the event’s menu that includes chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, snacks, pizza chips and New York style wieners at the turn.
Rumor has it that Ruth Furia, who once owned and operated Ruthie’s Restaurant on Atwood Avenue and whose late husband John is one of seven people who are remembered through the tourney, will have plenty of her famous homemade chowder when the tourney tees off on Saturday, May 9 at famed Connecticut National Golf Course in Putnam, Ct.
Vin LaFazia, the event’s tireless chairman who announced that “our proceeds will again benefit the Hematology/Oncology Departments at Hasbro Hospital, said registration is $130 per golfer and includes the unique noon-time, pre-tee off lunch, 18 holes of golf, many giveaways, a giant raffle and dinner immediately following the tourney.
Those golfers who are fortunate enough to land a playing spot will also receive a specially designed jacket featuring the Hasbro and JMCE logos as well as a “goodie bag” that Vin LaFazia said “will include some interesting items.”
Likewise, this year’s tourney will feature three flights – Open, Co-Ed – Champion (all players 60 and over) and all checks should be made payable to JMCE and sent to LaFazia at 75 Orchard Meadows Drive, Smithfield, RI 02917 or call (401) 233-2564.
Yet another way the JMCE has boosted its offers is through $500 Major Sponsorships as well as $75 Business Tee Signs and $50 Memorial Signs all of which are custom made and displayed throughout the day-long event. People who’d like a sponsors or tee or business sign should also Linda LaFazia (401-233-2564) or Judi Graham (401-497-2954). Cutline for pix
IMG 1839
GIFT GALS: Ladies like Ruth Furia, Diane D’Ambra, Michele Brannigan and Linda LaFazia will be smiling on Saturday, May 9 when they present each person that’s registered for the 13th Annual JMCE Golf Tournament with a custom-designed jacket.
Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine Golf tourney two pix img 1849
COOK’S CORNER: JMCE golf tourney volunteers Mike Caparco, Lisa St. Angelo, Eric Gelsomino, :Phyllis Gelsomino and Joe Grasso are just a few of the folks who’ll help cook and serve the signature sausage and pepper sandwiches and other items during the May 9 pre-tee off luncheon at Connecticut National Golf Club in Putman, Ct.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here