Spots filling up quickly for JMCE Golf Tournament

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Although the 11th Annual Johnston Memorial Cancer Events (JMCE) Golf Tournament won’t tee off for another 69 days, organizers last Wednesday night issued an important warning of sorts and reminding people “we seem to be filling up faster-and-faster each year.”

People who have played in the highly-acclaimed fun and food-filled golf tourney – which has been rated one of the top charity events in Southern New England – will attest there are multiple reasons why this year’s event has been a sellout in recent years.

First and foremost, people continue their pledges – and willingness to help children who are battling cancer at such tender ages – to never, ever let the names of those people for whom the tourney is played be forgotten.

In keeping with tradition, the 11th Annual JMCE Memorial Cancer Golf Tourney, which will tee off on Saturday, May 5 at well-groomed and manicured Connecticut National Golf Club in Putnam, Connecticut, will be played in memory of the late Sal Gelsomino, Anna Mazzulla, Laura DeAngelis, Raymond Johnston, John Furia and Frances Grasso.

“We were and have remained a small group of friends who want to make a difference in the lives of children who are battling cancer at Hasbro Children’s Hospital,” Judi Graham, who shares the fundraising committee duties with Linda LaFazia, wanted it known. “Back when we started, we had no idea on how huge it would become.”

One reason, in particular, is that Vin LaFazia – a former Johnston Parks and Recreation Director and decorated Vietnam veteran – works tirelessly year-round to ensure the tournament’s annual growth and many success stories.

Add to that names like committee members Dennis & Pat Quaranta, Judi & David Graham, the LaFazia family, the Gelsomino family, the DeAngelis family, the Johnston family, the Chatelle family, the Grasso family, Mike Mazzulla, Robin Christensen, Steve Placella, John Graham, Joe Harris, Dewey & Tracy Uriati, Greg & May Kernan, John & Patti Martin, Lori Caracciolo and Dennis Medeiros, who all do their “fair share in promoting and planning the tournament” that continues to sponsor programs in the Oncology and Hematology Units at the award-winning Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.

“We have the utmost respect for each other and love what we have been able to do year-after-year for Hasbro Hospital,” added Linda LaFazia. “We have become a special group of friends whose mission is dedicated to raising money that helps the kids who are battling cancer.”

That may have been an understatement of sorts, given that the JMCE is in the midst of a five-year campaign that has pledged to raise $100,000 that will be used to renovate several areas at Hasbro in the name of the Memorial Cancer Events non-profit.

The JMCE has already raised nearly one-quarter of that amount and has devised a plan for the memorial golf go-round that will perhaps double that total after only two years.

“Ought oh,” mused Vin LaFazia when he announced that “we’ve raised the entry fee to $125.”

And that is, people should know, only five bucks more than previous JMCE Memorial Golf Tournaments.

LaFazia also noted “we have Memorial Tee Signs and Business Tee Signs that have been coming in at record numbers of late. They really add to our total. We also have a Major Sponsorship Available, and in year’s past, we’ve had some really generous people sign in as sponsors.”

Few benefit golf tournaments offer the on-site “extras” that the JMCE has done through the years.

This year’s 11th Annual event, for example, will give each golfer a hat, shirt, balls, notepads, pens, markers, gift cards and as LaFazia said “a few surprises during registration on May 5.”

Likewise, people who have played in the JMC event through the years still marvel at the day’s food menu that begins with a pre-tourney lunch consisting of sausage and pepper sandwiches, meatball sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, chowder, soft drinks, ice cream and coffee.

“And there’s more food on the course,” LaFazia announced. “We’ll have committee members at various holes offering saugy hot dogs, pizza, chips, snacks, drinks, hot wieners, limoncello and margaritas. Oh, and don’t forget the post-golf dinner … we’ll also have many, many, many valuable raffle prizes too!”

As LaFazia reiterated time and time again during last Wednesday night’s meeting, “we fill up fast so please have your people get their registrations and checks in as soon as possible. We can only accommodate 40 foursomes and entries are based on a first-come, first-serve basis. Just this week we received money for six foursomes.”

Yet another testimony, someone suggested last Wednesday night, “as to what the JMCE Memorial Cancer Golf Tournament has become and continues to do for children who have been stricken with that deadly disease.”

LaFazia said people must register by April 15 for either the Open or Co-Ed Divisions and Champion Division of golfers ages 60 and over. All checks should be made payable to the JMCE and sent to Linda LaFazia, 75 Orchard Drive, Smithfield, R.I. 02917. For more information, please call (401) 2323-2564 or (401) 497-2954.

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