Isla Del Sol Yacht and Country Club Raise over $50,000 for SOWF

The Isla del Sol Yacht and Country Club held its Inaugural Charity Golf Tournament, November 3rd, to benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF), a top-rated nonprofit organization that provides college educations to the surviving children of fallen Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel. Thirty-nine foursomes competed in a "scramble” format under sunny skies at the par-71 championship golf course nestled between the southern tip of St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach, just north of Tierra Verde.

The field of golfers was made up of strong support from Isla del Sol club members, as well as company-sponsored teams from the Loews Don Cesar Resort, Alcatel-Lucent, Manheim Auctions, American Strategic Insurance and Ferman Acura Mazda Tampa. The Ferman team bested everyone for the overall first-place trophies.

Following the tournament, 250 people enjoyed a full night’s activities that were emceed by Dick Crippen, Executive Director of Community Development for the Tampa Bay Rays. The event included numerous raffle prizes, 51 silent auction items and seven live auction items. Isla del Sol is very grateful to the local businesses, club suppliers and club members who donated to this cause. The total amount raised was $54,000.

Steve Riordan, Chairman of the Tournament Committee, stated "We far exceeded our initial estimates of proceeds to SOWF for a first-year event. The support and generosity from our members and supporters was truly inspiring.”An emotional speech was given by SOWF scholarship recipient Melinda Petrignani, who lost her father, Army Ranger Specialist Michael Rudess, when she was 8 months old. She described how grateful she is to have had the opportunity to attend college.

"It is heart-warming when a community gets together to make a difference,” said John T. Carney, Jr., SOWF President. "The funds raised at this event will provide college educations to children of fallen special operations warriors and also serve as a reminder that their fallen parent’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.”