One of the most prestigious tournaments in the nonprofit sector continues its storied legacy this summer when Little City Foundation hosts its 47th Annual Little City Invitational Golf Tournament on Monday, Aug. 16, at Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove.
Co-chairpersons Ed Hockfield and Jennifer Quinn are hoping to top last-year’s record-breaking mark of $400,000, and they should come close to doing just that if players and sponsors continue to sign up as they have in recent weeks.
“We’re getting good support, but we still need to finish strong,” said Ed, who also serves as the Executive Vice President of the Little City Board of Directors. “Our committee is working hard to make this another very successful event for Little City.”
The Little City Invitational is the second-oldest, ongoing nonprofit golf tournament in Illinois, behind only the Evans Scholars program, and one of the oldest of its kind in the country. The tournament will take place on Monday, Aug. 16.
Players and sponsors still can participate in the event by contacting Phyllis Shipbaugh at 847-221-7892 or pshipbaugh@littlecity.org.
Headlining this year’s tournament is honoree Patrick Larmon, President and CEO of Bunzl Distribution USA, Inc., a St. Louis-based distributor of products that includes outsourced food packaging, disposable supplies, and cleaning and safety products. Larmon resides in Oak Brook.
This year’s tournament also will signify the final major event celebrating Little City’s 50th Anniversary year, which began on Oct. 1, 2009, and ends Sept. 30.
Little City will present Larmon with its prestigious Morrie Kellman Humanitarian Award, named after the founder of the Little City tournament. The Little City Invitational is one of the oldest, ongoing golf tournaments in the country hosted by a nonprofit, which has advocated and raised funds for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for more than half a century.
No stranger to Little City, Larmon has played in several Little City Invitational tournaments in the past to support the organization. In fact, his foursome won the event last year. He is also very active in community service, both in the Chicago and St. Louis areas, including serving on the national board of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
“Pat is a perfect selection for our Morrie Kellman Humanitarian Award, which emphasizes compassion, dedication and support for people with disabilities,” said Ed Hockfield, one of the co-chairs for this year’s event. “We are very pleased to have him as our honoree this year.”
“Little City Foundation is a wonderful organization that provides hope and dignity to people with disabilities, and I am always willing to help them whenever I can,” Larmon said. “To receive an honor of this caliber is very humbling, and I look forward to taking part in this year’s tournament.”
A full field of 250 golfers is expected to tee it up over the 36-hole Twin Orchard Country Club. In the spirit of golf’s heritage, golfers have the option to walk with caddies on the courses instead of using carts. The event also includes an awards dinner that includes an expansive silent auction as well as a live auction featuring several spectacular packages, from playing golf at exclusive clubs to sailing on Lake Michigan while hosting your own private party.
The invitational supports the Palatine-based Little City Foundation, which provides extensive services and programs, including residential care, for hundreds of children and adults with disabilities. The cost to play individually is $750 and sponsorships also are available.
To register or to inquire about sponsorships, visit www.littlecity.org/events/2010/lci/ or contact Phyllis Shipbaugh at 847-221-7892 or pshipbaugh@littlecity.org.
To support individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, visit www.littlecity.org/support.
For complete information, visit www.lilttlecity.org or contact Rick Johnson at rjohnson@littlecity.org or 847-221-7831.
