(Hobe Sound) – The exclusive McArthur Golf Club was the host for Easter Seals 2008 Timothy C. Roche Memorial Golf Classic recently.  Raising more than $90,000,

22 foursomes “hit the links” for children with special needs at Easter Seals Igoe-Amar Child Development Center.

            “We are honored that the prestigious McArthur Golf Club selected Easter Seals as their charity partner for 2008,” said Rhonda Clinton, executive director of Palm Beach/Martin/St. Lucie Region of Easter Seals Florida.  “The day was a success and we are thankful to everyone involved for helping to raise funds and awareness for the children at our Center.  Early intervention is critical for the children with physical and mental special needs, and the money from this event helps us to offer the services and therapies that each child needs.”     

             The first place foursome was Kevin McAdams, Stephen Dembinsky, Randy Crain and Kip Davis.  Second place went to John Leonard, Dean Daley, Mark Minetti and Bryan Brisebois, and third place winners were Tony Lofaso, Robert Gordon, Andrew Wasserman and Fred Lee.  Terry Conklin and John Moore scored in the putting contest while Joe Davis won a Bulova Watch for his hole-in-one.  Mark Stevens was closest to the pin and Kevin McAdams had the longest drive.

            “I’m still smiling when I think back on the perfect day we had,” said Robin Henderson, event chair.  “We had a wonderful group of people supporting the children at Easter Seals and enjoying this one-of-a-kind golf experience.  The day was so rewarding - all for such a good cause!” 

            A Pre-Tee cocktail party with live and silent auctions was held at The River House Restaurant, Palm Beach Gardens.  Sam Nover, a tournament participant and advisor for tournament bronze sponsor Innovative Benefits Consulting, emceed the live auction that featured a golf clinic with Nick Price along with golf at McArthur Golf Club, golf at Trump International with Gary Wiren, a getaway at The Ritz Carlton Palm Beach and golf at The Ritz Carlton Jupiter.  The evening was sponsored by Paver Systems and The River House Restaurant.

             Presenting sponsor for the Timothy C. Roche Memorial Golf Classic was the Baxter Foundation.  Gold sponsors were Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. and Wachovia Bank, N.A.  Silver sponsors included Enterprise National Bank; K-Rain Manufacturing and Ann Marie G. Rezzonico, P.A.  Bronze sponsors were Mellon Bank; Florida Executive Builders; Levy Kneen, P.L.; Dailey-Janssen Architects; Palm Planning Group; FPL; Janssen Construction; Innovative Benefits Consulting and Pillsbury Shaw.

            Along with Henderson, committee members for the event included co-chair Vince Leonard, Tom Blaney, Ian Brown, Debbie Davis, Rosey Gekas, Mark Holmes, John Houchin, Susan Kah, Loretta Kocik, Jeff Kneen, Sam Nover, Fred Riley and Cecilia Roche.

            Proceeds from the Timothy C. Roche Memorial Golf Classic benefit programs and services of Easter Seals Florida serving Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties.  The Igoe-Amar Child Development Center is the area’s only full-time center for children of ALL abilities. Easter Seals helps children with disabling conditions due to birth, disease, accident or injury through pediatric speech, physical, occupational and behavioral therapies made available in a preschool setting.  These services help prepare children for success in school while affording parents an opportunity to continue their careers or education.