Bobby Weed, ASGCA (Bobby Weed Golf Design), and founder of the HEAL (Healing Every Autistic Life) Foundation, will present the 2017 “Bobby Weed’s HEAL Golf Gig,” a golf tournament and associated events to benefit the Foundation, non-profit organization assisting those with autism in Northeast Florida.
The tournament will be played Feb. 24 on Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass, co-designed by ASGCA Past President Pete Dye and Bobby Weed, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. This is 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.
“The extensive and important work of the HEAL Foundation supports the local autistic community through a variety of initiatives,” Weed said. Weed and his wife, Leslie, who co-founded the HEAL Foundation in 20014, have a profoundly autistic non-verbal daughter.
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.
This year’s event will open with the “HEAL Starry Skies & Butterflies” fundraiser, to be held Feb. 23 on the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse Lawn. Drinks and dinner will be served in a festive setting with fire pits, live music, dancing, auctions and lawn games. World-renowned performance painter David Garibaldi will be featured, and the Boogie Freaks, a top party show band, will perform 70s music.
The golf tournament Feb. 24 will begin on the TPC Sawgrass practice tee at 8:30 a.m. with Bloody Marys and breakfast, followed by a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start. The outing will conclude with an awards luncheon in the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse.
“Autism has grown exponentially; the need is dire,” Weed said. “Join us in supporting the HEAL fundraiser as we continue our mission in assisting those with autism.”
For online tickets and donations, visit HealAutismNow.org. For more information, call 904-716-4198.