Through its PlayARound “socially distanced” fundraising initiative to support community nonprofit missions, Boca Lago Golf & Country Club (BLG&CC) partnered with Spirit of Giving (SOG) during December to support the nonprofit’s Annual Holiday Gift Drive that brings joy to more than 5,000 children in Palm Beach County each season. Because Covid restrictions have upended so many of Spirit of Giving’s traditional gift drive fundraising events and opportunities, BLG&CC opened its fairways to “drive” funds “fore” this vital mission when the need this year is so much greater than ever before. Then BLG&CC members joined in to support the efforts that resulted in granting 78 children their “wish list” gifts.
“We were proud to partner with Spirit of Giving this year when so many children and their families have been economically and socially challenged by Covid-19,” said BLG&CC Managing Director of Membership and Golf Operations John Stampfl. “Most have missed out on personal celebrations, spending time with friends, and school clubs and sports, and we at Boca Lago didn’t want them to then have to miss out on the magic of the holidays that infuses joy and hope.”
SOG gift drive supporters became a member-for-a-day at the private golf and country club, giving them access to play nine-hole rounds of golf on one or more of BLG&CC’s three redesigned award-winning nine-hole courses. Following an $8 million investment, the courses were recognized by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s (GCSAA) as the Best New Golf Course Design (2018).
Supporters were encouraged to come out early to warm up at BLG&CC’s Golf Academy-level practice facility that features an expansive “full swing” driving range accommodating a field of 20 golfers, three putting greens, a dedicated short-game area and two practice holes that can be played in multiple ways.
Known to be community-spirited and philanthropic, Club members chose to expand its PlayARound initiative by making SOG its official 2020 holiday season charity. Members entered a friendly gift drive competition to multiply the joy of giving with individual Wish List donations.
“We are so grateful that Boca Lago Golf & Country Club embraced our mission and critical needs right now to ring in joy for children when it is needed the most,” noted SOG Executive Director Lindy Harvey. “This pandemic has been a trying time for everyone, and so many of our local deserving children are looking forward to warm holiday cheer with a sense that the world will once again soon return to healthy and happy.”
BLG&CC (www.BocaLago.com) is located at 8665 Juego Way, Boca Raton, FL 33433. To learn more about golf course play at BLG&CC, contact BLG&CC Managing Director of Membership and Golf Operations John Stampfl at (561) 869-8880 or [email protected]. For more information on SOG, contact SOG Executive Director Lindy Harvey at (561) 385-0144 or [email protected] or visit www.SpiritOfGivingNetwork.com.
