Lake Nona Tournament

Invitations to the 2010 Lake Nona Event Have Been Mailed!

Invitations were mailed out this week for the annual WPFT Lake Nona Event being held at Lake Nona on October 18-19, 2010. The RSVP deadline is May 21, 2010. For more information please call Lynda Canatay at 321-841-2272.

The 2009 Tournament - Huge Success!

Click here to see the video

On October 26, 2009, more than 112 women, forming 28 golf foursomes, gathered at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club for two days of tournament golf to raise money to support the mission of Women Playing For T.I.M.E., who partner with M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, to defeat cancer as it affects women and their families in Central Florida.

From the moment of arrival, players were greeted by hundreds of pink flags, all personalized in memory, support, or in celebration of someone affected by cancer. Each year, Sandy Thompson and her husband volunteer to produce and display the Hall Of flags, a signature image at the Lake Nona Tournament.

As day one commenced, the Lake Nona golf course was covered by shades of pink, as women competed for low gross and net scores for the day. Carts were decorated; outfit’s color coordinated; and everyone’s spirits were riding high on a perfect Florida day. The day was superbly complimented by a luncheon of fabulous food, expertly prepared by the Chef’s at Lake Nona, at the direction of WPFT volun teer, Susie Aspinwall.

A wonderful highlight of the day was the keynote address delivered by golfing legend, Annika Sorrenstam. Looking relaxed and poised, Annika was joined by WPFT Volunteer and former LPGA Tour player, Mary Bryan. They spoke to the audience about Annika’s life as a new mother, her vast business enterprises, and the partnership between WPFT and the ANNIKA Academy. Always gracious, Annika stayed afterward to meet and greet everyone and sign autographs. Click here to see exciting photos from Day 1.

On day two of the tournament, the excitement continued as several teams were in contention to win. Once again, Lake Nona Golf and Country Club was smothered in beautiful shades of pink, including the famous “Cart Boys” who made their way around the course offering refreshments while gathering “Tips For TIME”.

Throughout the day you could hear shouts of excitement as birdies and chip-ins were made. The closing day luncheon was both exciting and bittersweet. Sadly, Co-Founder Elaine Lustig lost her husband Seymour in September. Seymour had been present at nearly every closing day luncheon for the last seventeen years. Paying a special tribute to Seymour was Mickey Solomon, husband of the late Sheila Solomon, who was Co-Founder of WPFT before losing her battle with breast cancer in 2000. Mickey fondly stated “Seymour Lustig touched many lives and I was proud to call him my friend. He was dear friend of Women Playing For T.I.M.E. too.”

As is customary at this event, a check was presented to Dr. Clarence Brown and M. D. Anderson Cancer Institute – Orlando, in the amount of $453,000 representing the total amount of monies raised for the year by the Women Playing For T.I.M.E. As the luncheon concluded, awards were presented to the winning teams. Click here to see the winners and photos from day 2.

A special thanks to Mercedes-Benz of Orlando, who sponsored a putting contest for a two-year lease on a Mercedes-Benz 300 in memory of long time WPFT supporter Janie Stephenson, whose husband, Glenn Volence, is a Sales Consultant at their Maitland dealership. Although neither of the prizes were won, there was a lot of excitement and competition on the field those two days!

About The Event

The two-day Lake Nona Golf Tournament is the signature event for Women Playing For T.I.M.E. The tournament, played on one of the premiere golf courses, Lake Nona Golf and Country Club. The Lake Nona Golf Event began seventeen years ago and is the most eagerly anticipated annual women’s golf event in Central Florida. This Tom Fazio jewel of a course offers players a lush wooded canopy for the first nine holes and breathtaking lake vistas along the back nine.

In order to play, one must be an amateur and have an established USGA handicap. The Tournament uses the “two best ball” format (including gross and net divisions).

The schedule for the event includes a daily breakfast buffet, as well as a luncheon. The menus and preparations are always outstanding and these meals are often highlighted by guest speakers from the local community. Creative baskets donated by individual teams grace the tables and are auctioned to participants on the last day of the tournament.

Hall of Flags

The Hall of Flags has been a staple at the Lake Nona Golf event along with Sandi Thompson, who heads-up the Flag sponsorships. Over 100 flags are strategically placed throughout the grounds and according to Sandi, “give a face to cancer and demonstrate why we are all together, why we are here for one another.” You can sponsor a flag to celebrate a cancer survivor, to support a woman currently battling the disease, or in memory of a loved one.

Sandi just exudes warmth and vitality with her “giggle and jiggle” personality and you’ll find her and her team dressed in humorous costumes during the event to give a smile and cheer to all participants. Sandi's mother passed away from breast and ovarian cancer and her wish is to engage and educate the younger generation to be actively involved to find a cure for cancer.

Tournament Chair

The Neo-Georgian design of the architecture at Lake Nona evokes easy-going southern hospitality, as does the chairwoman for the past five years, Marcia Marks. Little did Marcia know in 1993, when she first played in the Lake Nona Tournament (as she has done every year since) that she herself would one day develop breast cancer. Marcia is today a six-year survivor of the disease.

Although Marcia is the first to tell you that she doesn’t like competition, she enjoys the companionship of the WPFT women and the importance of friendship. Her best game ever was when she played with her Dad and shot “85 or 86.” She enjoys the fact that he would often call her after that game and ask, “What did you shoot today?”

When she is asked what she is most proud of, Marcia quickly responds, “My husband of 40 years - and my three sons.” Then she adds, “And my three lovely daughters-in-law and three granddaughters and three grandsons.” Her two oldest sons are twins – born three weeks early, shortly after the golf cart took her off the course to go to the hospital!

WPFT is proud of Marcia because of her tenacity in fighting cancer and making a difference. Marcia says that no matter what life presents to her, her goal is to “walk out smiling.”

The Results

In 2009, the Lake Nona Golf Tournament raised over $453,000. Even in this uncertain economy, we hope to surpass that amount in 2010 to help support breast cancer research at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando.

Click Here to see the Gross and Net Tournament winners from the 2009 Lake Nona Golf Event.

Gift In Kind Donors

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits
Barnie’s Coffee & Tea Company
Coca-Cola
Dry Grip
Sheryl Meitin
Medical Marketing , Inc.
Mercedez Benz of Maitland
Orlando Home & Leisure Magazine
Panera Bread
Rain Forest Café
Red’s Produce
Arlene Reithman
Sodexo Health Care
Standard Register
TaylorMade

We all win as we move closer to a cure for cancer. Please join our efforts! For more information about the WPFT Lake Nona Golf Event or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, volunteer work or donating to Women Playing For T.I.M.E., please contact Lynda Canatay at (321) 841-2272 or lynda.canatay@orlandohealth.com.

Find your passion and help find a cure for cancer. Get involved today!

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