GFDD Hosts its 8th Golf Tournament to Support Sustainable Socioeconomic Development in the Region

September 26, 2016

The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) celebrated its 8th Golf Tournament this past Monday, September 26 at the prestigious Glen Head Country Club in Long Island, New York. The purpose of this event was to raise funds in benefit of the multiple programs and initiatives put into action by GFDD in the Dominican Republic and abroad. Over a hundred players came together and spent a beautiful fall afternoon around the 18 holes’ golf course in support of the organization.

The event started at 12:30 with the welcoming remarks of Mrs. Natasha Despotovic, Executive Director of GFDD, who thanked all the players for coming together to support GFDD on the mission to formulate and implement initiatives that contribute to the sustainable social, democratic, economic and cultural development and to the improvement of lives in the Dominican Republic and the Western Hemisphere. Mrs. Despotovic followed to present baseball’s Hall-of-Famer and outstanding supporter of the foundation, Mr. Juan Marichal, Head of the GFDD Golf Tournament Organizing Committee, Mr. Rudy Fuertes, the Tournament Technical Director, Mr. Willy Pumarol and Mr. Marichal initiated the tournament with the first teed off on the first hole.

After the game players were offered a dinner gala and award ceremony where GFDD’s Executive Director,
thanked all the attendees and acknowledged the support of the sponsors thanks to whom the event was possible. She then proceeded with the presentation of GFDD’s institutional video and a video showing the highlights of the tournament. Mrs. Despotovic also introduced Rudy Fuertes and Willy Pumarol. Mr. Fuertes took the stage to express his gratitude to all the supporters of the event and to encourage them to get involved with the different programs of the foundation. He spoked about how the mission of GFDD touched his heart and motivated him to contribute to the advancement of the Dominican Republic. Later Mr. Pumarol announced the tournament’s winners and presented the awards, traditionally designed and donated by the Dominican artist, José Ignacio Morales, also known as El Artístico.

Among the distinguished guests at the banquet there was Dr. Leonel Fernández GFDD/Funglode’s president and former president of the Dominican Republic who along with Juan Marichal presented the award to the winners of the first place. GFDD also gave a special acknowledgement to Mr. Richard Romanoff from Nebraskaland, Luis Avison from Derle Farm and Jorge Abad from General Trading for their continuous support and collaboration.  During the dinner there was also a raffle of 5 smart TVs.

The ceremony concluded with the words of thanks and farewell of Mrs. Natasha Despotovic who invited everyone to enjoy the night with a delicious dinner and to continue supporting GFDD’s mission at upcoming events.

THE 8TH GFDD GOLF TOURNAMENT WAS POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF:
Ace Advertisement Inc., Ron Barcelo Dominicano, Bimbo Bakeries USA, BP Media & Partners, Café Bustelo, Café Rubio, Carolina Rice, CBA Insert Distribution, Pediatrics 2000 II PC, Derle Farms Inc., Edwin Travel Agency, El Artistico, Fine Fare Supermarkets, Frito-Lay, Furco Foods Corporation, General Trading CO., Hispanic Indoor Media, Inc., Inca Kola, Key Food Stores Foundation, Lino Press, Mission Foods, Nebraskaland Inc., Nextech Brand Identity, Ozone Refrigeration, Porkey Products, QB Car Wash Corp., R Best Produce, SV Produce, Tomra, Riviana Foods Inc. Royal Waste Services, Exclusive Real Estate, Mamajuana’s Café, Purazucar, Centro de Proloterapia Intensiva and Popular Community Bank.

GFDD GOLF CLASSIC 2016 WINNERS

1st PLACE- GROSS Ricardo Bonnet Manuel Torres 63 2nd PLACE- GROSS   Dorian Vargas Carlos Rodriguez 65   1st PLACE- NET   Raffy Veras John Estevez 63 2nd PLACE- NET     Mike Heller Scott Leach 67* 3rd PLACE- NET   Jorge Marcos 67* 4th PLACE- NET   Ray Klaber Andres Gerardo 67*   5th PLACE- NET   Richard Romanoff Salvador Jimenez 67* Closest to pin #4: Mariano Diaz Closest to pin #7: Carlos Rodriguez Closest to pin #12: Raffy Veras Closest to pin #16: Marcos Jorge Kurdas Long drive # 18: Ray Klaber 10’6” 9’ 3’1” 2’

About GFDD Golf Tournament
The tournaments are part of GFDD’s effort to engage supporters while promoting fundraising efforts. The fundraising supports research to design public policies and develop strategies to build capacity in the crucial areas of social, economic, democratic, and cultural sustainable development in the Dominican Republic and the Western Hemisphere. The tournaments, already a GFDD tradition, are attended by leading figures from the philanthropic field, prominent sports figures, and other friends who through the years have supported GFDD’s programs.