Fourth Annual Golf & Tennis Classic a Success!
On October 1, 2012, the Brain Science Foundation gathered 200 friends and supporters for the Tee It Up for Brain Tumor Research Golf & Tennis Classic. Participants were welcomed with fantastic weather for the fourth straight year—no small feat considering New England’s reputation for Octobers!
This year we were honored with two special guests: former Bruins Defenseman Mike Milbury and Dr. E. Antonio Chiocca. Mike also served as coach for the Boston Bruins in the early ‘90s, and held several front office positions with the NHL before turning his charms to the world sports broadcasting. Dr. Chiocca recently joined Brigham & Women’s Hospital as they Chair of Neurosurgery and has also become part of the BSF’s Scientific Advisory Committee. Nearly 150 golfers and tennis players were treated to an outstanding early autumn day in New England at the beautiful Willowbend country club.
The 18 holes surrounded by cranberry bogs and Cape Cod woods gave everyone one last experience of summer weather. One golfer said “I’ve gone to all four years of this event and they just keep getting better!” Throughout the course, several fun contests were held, including a chipping contest using the BSF’s brain-shaped stress balls where we discovered little foam brains have a tendency to slice to the right! Mike helped turn up the fun this year! He joined a foursome on the course before helping out with announcing duties for the closest to the pin contest. He later helped out auctioning off items. “It’s great being out here on this amazing day to support this great cause,” he exclaimed as part of the morning’s shotgun start.
A new element for this year’s event, the Innovation Corner, offered attendees a glimpse of some of the impact of the foundation. “It’s amazing to see just how much [the foundation] is doing,” one attendee shared. “It’s amazing to see the cutting edge and future of treatment possibilities.” Dr. Chiocca helped close out the evening by addressing the crowd just after dinner. He discussed the critical need for funding research, particularly in the neurosciences—a field historically neglected by both philanthropy and public funding.
The Brain Science Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors, participants, volunteers, and donors to the auction for the incredible support that helped make this event! We are especially grateful for the tireless commitment of Diane Coletti and Heather McCarthy, two board members who served as this year’s co-chairs of the Golf & Tennis Planning Committee. Their contributions are sure to help make the coming year one of the most impactful in the Foundation’s history. By the day of the event, we had over 40 corporate sponsors, 124 golfers signed up, 20 people on the tennis courts, and more than 75 auction and in-kind donations!
