Fla CCs Golf Tourney nets $7,000 for Foundation and charities

Retired Marine LtCol. Betsy Judge blasts from a Ridgewood Lakes bunker.

The weather was spectacular and the golf course was in outstanding condition on June 12 as 98 golfers kicked off the 2012 version of the Foundation’s (Florida Chapter) golf tournament to help America’s wounded Marines at the Ridgewood Lakes Golf Club in Davenport, FL.

Tournament Chair James E. “Red” Carpenter reported that this year’s event raised $7,000 for the Foundation.  “While this was a bit lower than we raised last year it is still a very respectable amount of money considering the competition from tournaments in Central Florida. We also lost a major sponsor due to economic conditions.”

Andy Bean

Brad Bryant

In ceremonies preceding the morning’s action, Carpenter introduced various key figures, including two golfers from the Champions Tour who lived nearby.  “Andy Bean and Brad Bryant both from the Lakeland area, gave up a rare day off in order to be with us.”   Both golfers played in the tournament.  He also introduced Andrew Berry who was severely wounded in Iraq and attends tournaments such as this in order to show his appreciation to those helping Americas wounded.  Berry and nearly a dozen active duty Marines were guests of the Chapter for the tournament. Again this year Heineken USA provided various products for the consumption of the golfers.  It was a very hot day so this was greatly appreciated.  In addition, Heineken provided several hundred dollars of merchandise that was used in the raffle and silent auction.

Carpenter also thanked the Marine Corps Color Guard from Orlando’s 6th Motor Transport Battalion who participated in the program for the eighth straight year.

For more photos of the event click this link