Ann Liguori Charity Golf Classic Reports Most Successful Year

The 2016 Ann Liguori Foundation Charity Golf Classic held at Friar’s Head on the East End of Long Island was the most successful event yet in its 18-year run.

Under glorious sunshine and clear skies, the Ben Crenshaw-Bill Coore design glistened and hosted the sold-out charity tournament for the third straight year.

The annual outing benefits a number of organizations that work in the field of cancer prevention and research including the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, cancer research grants and Kids Need More, a camp for children with cancer and their siblings in August on Shelter Island.

Enthusiastic golfers gathered in the morning for a huge buffet breakfast in the breathtaking clubhouse on the bluffs of Baiting Hollow, overlooking the Long Island Sound. After warming up on the club’s sprawling practice facility, they were off to enjoy a picture-perfect day on a picture-perfect course. Gene Michael of the NY Yankees and media personality Bo Dietl joined in the fun.

“Every year, this charity golf tournament gets better and better, thanks to the special people who are committed to the event,” says Ann Liguori, host of the event and golf correspondent for CBS Sports Radio Network and WFAN. “I thank the excellent team at Friar’s Head, all of our devoted sponsors, donors, participants, volunteers and the golf industry, over-all, for all the support so many people provide for this event and for so many great causes, every year. The golf industry is most charitable and a testament to the special people who are involved in the game.”

Liguori, who is also an author and host of the Sports Innerview with Ann Liguori radio and cable series, has hosted and organized the charity golf tournament in the Hamptons area every year since 1998. Eight years ago, she founded the Ann Liguori Foundation, which supports a variety of local, regional and national not-for-profit organizations each year.

Each year, the Foundation recognizes an individual who excels in both the business world and the philanthropic arena. This year’s honoree was Robert Catalano, President of Total Fire Protection, and the Founder of The Kids for Kids Foundation, which has raised nearly 6.7 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Nine teams won prizes for low gross and low net scores, and Sandy Schoenbach of New Jersey had a hole-in-one on number 17!

Winners picked prizes from a selection of premium items donated by companies in the golf industry, and auction items included golf trips, tickets to Hamilton and opportunities to play golf locally at Shinnecock, Sebonack and The Bridge, and much more.

The evening program included Tournament Co-Chair, Len Gallo, urging the men in the audience to check themselves for lumps and get tested for testicular cancer. Melissa Firmes, the Founder of Kids Need More, shared her inspirational story. Firmes organizes camps for young people with cancer and raises money to support those in need. A Long Islander, Firmes is battling leukemia herself, and despite her own life-threatening struggle, continues to devote her time and efforts to Kids Need More.