PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (March 6, 2017) – Bobby Weed, co-founder of the HEAL (Healing Every Autistic Life) Foundation, has confirmed the success of the 2017 “Bobby Weed’s HEAL Golf Gig,” a golf tournament and associated events held Feb. 23-24 to benefit the Foundation, a local non-profit organization assisting those with autism in Northeast Florida.
“The Golf Gig was well attended, and the staff at TPC Sawgrass did a highly commendable job of hosting our golf tournament, as always,” Weed said. “We had a great cross-section of players, from parents of special-needs children to sponsors, donors, golf industry representatives and passionate HEAL supporters.
“Our HEAL staff, Jason Gurka and Jodi Voy in particular, worked closely with the TPC staff to ensure every detail was attended to. Leslie and I are gratified by the generous support and donations to assist our cause here in Northeast Florida.”
Weed and his wife, Leslie, who co-founded the HEAL Foundation in 2004, have a profoundly autistic non-verbal daughter.
The tournament, with a field of 108 players, was held Feb. 24 on Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass, co-designed by Pete Dye and Bobby Weed, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. This was the 10th anniversary of the event, hosted by Bobby Weed. Over the years, Pete Dye and Deane Beman have served as co-hosts with Weed.
Over $350,000 was raised at this year’s two-day event, exceeding the goal significantly. The gala was attended by 400 people.
“We are overwhelmed and grateful for the positive energy and outpouring of support,” said Leslie Weed. “The real winners are those affected by autism and their families.”
The HEAL Foundation (www.HealAutismNow.org) has granted nearly $2 million locally, including $250,000 last year for specialized programs and service dogs, and has provided 200 iPads to schools for use by non-verbal autistic children, giving them a voice.
About the HEAL Foundation
Established in 2004 by Leslie and Bobby Weed, the HEAL Foundation is a grassroots non-profit organization based in Northeast Florida. Through grants, HEAL supports entities serving those with autism spectrum disorders. The Foundation serves as an outreach organization, providing educational programs and camps tailored to the needs of the autism community. HEAL Board of Directors members include Dana Current, Joe Delaney, Bill Hughes, Jim Meyer, Vance Meyer, Billie Nimnicht III, Archie Jenkins, Lisa Montoya, Chriss Spires, J.T. Thomas, Bobby Weed, Leslie Weed, Chris Weiss and Eric Weiss, MD.
For more information on the HEAL Foundation, please visit www.HealAutismNow.org
About Bobby Weed Golf Design
Acclaimed golf course designer Bobby Weed specializes in design, renovation and repurposing. His work features a balance of visual appeal, sustainability and playability, all informed by an environmentally-sensitive aesthetic and an exceptional hands-on, holistic approach. Bobby Weed Golf Design is a leader in golf course repurposing – a means to update layouts through redesign and reallocation of partial acreage for higher value land uses. Repurposing helps clubs and communities preserve golf while surmounting economic and other challenges. Weed’s skill, vision and business acumen coalesce to result in successful, refined and durable golf course design.
Weed began his professional career with an extended apprenticeship with Pete Dye, launching a collaboration of over 35 years’ duration and a lifelong friendship. Hired in 1983 by the PGA Tour, Weed was the Tour’s in-house designer from 1987-1996. He was responsible for the design of many of today’s best-known TPC venues, which continue as host sites for prominent Tour events.
Weed also was able to collaborate with many of golf’s most familiar names, including Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd, Jerry Pate and Chi Chi Rodriguez – a rare cross-section of experience.
In 1994, Weed’s career reached an apex with the formation of his own design firm, where he continues to “handcraft” golf courses. Today, Bobby Weed Golf Design has amassed an impressive list of new and renovated courses that consistently are ranked at the top of their respective categories, including The Olde Farm Golf Club, Spanish Oaks Golf Club, The Golf Course at Glen Mills, Medalist Golf Club and Timuquana Country Club.
Bobby Weed is a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, the Historical Committee of the Donald Ross Society, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Florida Turfgrass Association.
Weed also is the co-founder and a Board Member of HEAL! (Healing Every Autistic Life). The HEAL Foundation is a local non-profit organization, based in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., serving individuals and families living with autism spectrum disorders. The Foundation serves as an outreach organization providing educational programs and camps tailored to the needs of the local autism community.
For more information on Bobby Weed Golf Design, see www.bobbyweed.com.
Contact:
Sally J. Sportsman
407-248-1144
sjsport@earthlink.net
