Rosen Shingle Creek and Shingle Creek Golf Club Host "A Bright White Night" Celebrity Fundraiser
ORLANDO (March 13, 2008) – Orlando’s AAA rated Four Diamond Rosen Shingle Creek hotel and the championship Shingle Creek Golf Club are proud to welcome back for the third time "Shaq’s Mama Said Knock You Out" charity golf tournament and gala September 11-12, 2008 in Orlando, hosted by Shaquille O’Neal’s mama, Lucille O’Neal and her son Shaquille.
Though Shaquille, or Shaq, is now the center starter for the National Basketball Association’s Phoenix Suns, he has a special place in his heart for Orlando, where he got his NBA start playing for the Orlando Magic in 1992 and where his mother resides. Shaq and Lucille will be joined by friends including NBA legends named among the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History – Charles Barkley and Julius "Dr. J" Erving — as well as former Orlando Magic star and Atlanta Hawks radio announcer Dennis Scott. Other shining luminaries include Alonzo Mourning, Shaq’s teammate on the 2006 NBA Champion Miami Heat; Matt Geiger, former Philadelphia 76er NBA Star; Andia Winslow, LPGA Golfer; and Sam Jones and Jamal Wilkes, both retired NBA stars.
Shaq and Lucille’s golf tournament and gala benefit the Odessa Chambliss Quality of Life Fund (www.ocqualityoflifefund.com), which was established in honor of Shaq’s grandmother and Lucille’s mother, who worked for more than 16 years as a nurse and passed away in 1996. The name for the fund comes from the O’Neal family, who said, "At the time of her death we learned that it is not the quantity of years one lives, but the quality of life that is important." The fund honors the lifetime accomplishments of Odessa Chambliss by funding nursing and educational scholarships at colleges and universities, including the University of Central Florida and Valencia Community College. Donations also fund cancer research.
Like the 7’1", 325-pound player it’s named for, the "Shaq’s Mama Said Knock You Out" charity golf tournament and gala promises to be big in entertainment value. The two-day event, themed "A Bright White Night" begins Thursday evening, Sept. 11, with a 6:30 p.m. sponsors-only cocktail reception at the hotel. On Friday, Sept. 12th, the day begins at sunrise with last-minute golf registration, a 7 a.m. continental breakfast, an exciting 8 a.m. golf tournament at the championship 18-hole Shingle Creek Golf Club, followed by an awards luncheon at the Club at 1 p.m.
Guests can relax for the afternoon at the hotel’s spa or four swimming pools before dressing for the evening, which begins with a 6:30 p.m. cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by the dinner and gala from 7:30 – 11 p.m. To adhere to the theme of the evening, "A Bright White Night," guests are asked to dress in their finest white attire, with a prize going to the best-dressed party-goer. Semi-formal attire is required. Back by popular demand for entertainment will be Sunnie Paxson and her fantastic band, as well as Comedian James "DA Funny Man" Stephens.
"We promise the night will be full of fun and laughter with plenty of great food and entertainment and lots of celebrities," said Lucille O’Neal. "That, combined with the fact that proceeds will go to a worthwhile cause, make this an event you don’t want to miss."
Last year, the golf tournament and gala raised $375,000 for the Odessa Chambliss Quality of Life Fund.
"The ‘Shaq’s Mama Said Knock You Out’" event is one of the highlights of the year at Shingle Creek," said Dave Scott, Director of Golf at Shingle Creek Golf Club. "As always, we will do everything possible to ensure that it’s an impeccable time for attendees from the second they arrive until the moment they depart."
Tickets are now available for the star-studded charity event at $500 per person. Sponsorship packages ranging from $5,000 to $75,000 also are available. To purchase tickets or sponsorship opportunities, call LO and Associates at 888-358-1082.
To book a room for the event, guests may call the Rosen Shingle Creek reservations line at (866) 996-6338. For more information, visit www.rosenshinglecreek.com or call (866) 996-9939.
The lush backdrop of early 1900s Florida with the turn-of-the-century splendor of grand hotels sets the tone for the elegant Rosen Shingle Creek, uniquely located on Shingle Creek, the headwaters of the Florida Everglades. With its natural charms and Spanish-revival flavor, the Rosen Shingle Creek offers oversized guest rooms (among the largest in Central Florida at 436 gross sq. ft.). Amenities include the award-winning Shingle Creek Golf Club, 13,000-square-foot The Spa at Shingle Creek with nine treatment rooms and a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, twelve dining/lounging options, four outdoor swimming pools, two lighted tennis courts, basketball, sand volleyball, horseshoes, nature and jogging trails, fishing and more.
In June 2005, Shingle Creek Golf Club was named a "Top 40 Best New Course" by Golfweek magazine. The David Harman designed, 18-hole, 7,228 yard championship golf course features undulating fairways and interconnecting waterways bordered by the natural backdrop of dense oaks and pines along historic Shingle Creek. Shingle Creek Golf Club features a state-of-the-art practice facility, the Brad Brewer Golf Academy, a world-class clubhouse, golf carts with computerized GPS yardage system, complimentary valet parking, full-service golf shop, and club and shoe rentals.
The 1,500-room hotel is conveniently located at 9939 Universal Blvd., just off the International Drive tourist district and ten minutes from the Orlando International Airport. For more information, visit www.rosenshinglecreek.com or call (866) 996-9939.
Joining last year’s tournament: Alonzo Mourning, Lucille O’Neal, Matt Geiger, Leslie Menichini, Shaquille O’Neal and Dave Scott.
Contact:
Mary Deatrick, DPR,
(407) 332-5212, mary@deatrickpr.com
