Third Annual Quest for the Cup
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Launched two years ago by four intrepid golfers, The 100 has quickly grown into one of east Polk County’s premier charity events. Last year, six teams of golfers raised close to $140,000. Organizers have their sights set on even higher numbers this year.
WINTER HAVEN, FL – Tee it up. “The 100” is back. What began in 2006 as a personal effort by four golfers to raise contributions for Winter Haven Hospital’s nationally recognized Stroke Center has turned into a major community event in east Polk County. The 2008 edition of “The 100” charity golf tournament will be played on Thursday, May 1, at the Lake Region Yacht and Country Club.
Last year, six teams of golfers played 100 holes of golf, challenging friends and colleagues to support them for each hole played. The event raised close to $140,000, bringing the two-year total to more than $160,000.
This year’s event will be expanded to nine teams. Teams that have already committed to this years event are: The Charter Team, (which includes Cassidy Homes, The Nissen Group and Hughes Corporate Printing), Mary Myers Realty, Center State Bank, Tucker Paving, State Farm, Cypress Gardens, Condev Homes, and the Saterbo Family.
The event will be led by the original four members of “The 100”: Winter Haven residents Pete Cassidy, Dwain Hughes, Joe Jensen and Randy Clark.
Pledges of support will be contributed to the support of the Stroke Center. In 2006, not-for-profit Winter Haven Hospital’s Stroke center was designated by the Joint commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) as a Primary Stroke Care Center, making the Hospital the first Primary Stroke Care Center serving Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties.
“These past two events have been a lot of work and a lot of fun at the same time,” said Pete Cassidy who spearheaded the marathon in 2006. “It’s amazing what happens when you put a challenge like this in front of people. They rise up to meet it and do great things for the community at the same time.”
Don Ingram, chairman of the Mid-Florida Medical Services Foundation Board of Trustees, praised the golfers for being willing to put themselves through a 100-hole marathon.
It’s a physical and mental challenge,” Ingram said. “Most people will tell you that 18 holes is pretty good exercise and really avid golfers will go for 36 holes in a day. Anyone who plays in “The 100” is making a real commitment to this event and to the Hospital. On behalf of the Foundation Board of Trustees, I want to thank everyone involved.”
Lance Anastasio, president and CEO of Winter Haven Hospital, said: “In the growing support for “The 100”, we see evidence of growing community-wide support for the Hospital’s not-for-profit healthcare mission. Everyone is looking for a way to do their part to ensure that we can continue to attract outstanding caregivers and equip them with the best tools. Whether you are a golfer or you are supporting the event in some fashion, you are playing a role to make our community better.”
Joel Thomas, vice president of the Mid-Florida Medical Services Foundation, the fund-raising organization for Winter Haven Hospital, noted that Pete Cassidy’s brother Steve is a Foundation Trustee and his brother, Al, is a Hospital board member. The Cassidy family recently contributed a $2.5 million gift to the Foundation. To honor and recognize the family’s investment, the Hospital’s new cancer treatment center was named the Cassidy Cancer Center at Winter Haven Hospital.
Thomas also noted Mr. Clark’s company, Bright House Networks, is a major corporate friend of the Foundation as well. Dwain Hughes, owner of Hughes Corporate Printing, is a long-time supporter of Foundation efforts, as is Joe Jensen, owner of RENI Publishing and the Nissen Group Advertising Agency.
About the MFMS Foundation
The Mid-Florida Medical Services Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit charitable institution governed by a board of volunteer trustees who serve without pay. In an effort to meet the comminuting needs of our health service organization and the growing communities it serves, the Foundation provides philanthropic support for the very latest in medical care, technology, equipment, facilities, manpower, and education for Winter Haven Hospital, the Regency Medical Center and the many other health services MFMS provides in east Polk and Highlands counties.
About Winter Haven Hospital
Established in 1926, Winter Haven Hospital serves as the major medical center for east Polk and Highlands counties and U.S. Highway 27/Ridge Corridor. The 527-bed hospital is a division of Mid- Florida Medical Services, Inc., a locally owned and operated not-for-profit organization. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint commission on accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and has more than 300 board-certified physicians on its medical staff representing every major specialty. Winter Haven Hospital is affiliated with the University of Florida College of Medicine/Shands Healthcare. And with more than 2,500 employees, Winter Haven Hospital is the largest private employer in east Polk County. Winter Haven Hospital has been recognized by Polk Works Workforce 2020 as one of the best places to work in Polk County for two consecutive years.
