Tournament Raises Record Amount for Sarasota Memorial Hospital Staff Education

SARASOTA, FL (May 10, 2017) – A sold-out field of more than 200 players participated in the 16th Annual Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s (SMHF) golf tournament on May 5, raising a record amount of money for Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s (SMH) Physician Endowment Fund that supports education for SMH staff.

The day-long event, played over two courses at Laurel Oak Country Club, raised more than $100,000.

Chairman for this year’s tournament was David Fouche, partner and executive vice-president of J2 Solutions, a local general contracting and construction management firm. Premier Sponsor for the event was RBC Wealth Management.

The annual tournament is a collaboration of local businesses and individuals who come together to support the event through sponsorships of golf teams as well as direct and in-kind donations. More than 50 volunteers helped make the event a success.

“The support of everyone – from dozens of businesses to individual donors and a dedicated corps of volunteers – made it possible to for us to raise this money that supports education for Sarasota Memorial staff,” said Sally Schule, SMHF director of community engagement.

Every year, the Physician Endowment Fund, supported by the tournament, enables dozens of SMH staff to benefit from opportunities to continue or expand their professional education to improve patient care. Next year’s tournament will be Friday, May 4, 2018 at Laurel Oak County Club.

First place low gross winners were: Carl Eskew, Colby Eskew, Kerry Kleppinger, Bob Buschman on the East course and Christian Bartalucci, Zach Gomslewski, Seth Lauer, Bruce Lesser on the West course.

First place low net winners were: Doug Grice, Doug Wudte, Bart Mathis, Dan Bonora on the East course and Ryan Jones, Jeffery Jones, Jim Chappell, Juan Villavaces on the West course.

About Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Inc. Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization with the mission to improve the delivery of healthcare for the Sarasota area through the acquisition and utilization of philanthropic funds. Since 1976, the Foundation has provided support for patient care, research, education, state-of-the-art medical technology and facilities. For more information visit smhf.org