Jacksonville Resident Jennifer Gold To Kick Off 65 Roses Golf & Tennis Classic

In 1975 at 18 months old, Jennifer Gold was diagnosed with a then-rare disease called Cystic Fibrosis and given a potential life span to her early 20's. At three years old and remarkably healthy, Jennifer was the poster child for her local CF Foundation in Northampton (PA), demonstrating what a healthy lifestyle and proper care could do for a child with CF.

Now at 38 years old - far exceeding her life span expectation and that of most CF patients - Jennifer is again the "Face of CF," but now with national implications thanks to her ties to the Jacksonville branch of the Foundation. And on Saturday, November 5, Jennifer will inspire more than 100 golfers and 60 tennis players when she kicks off the 12th Annual 65 Roses Golf & Tennis Classic at Jacksonville Golf & Country Club. In addition, Jennifer will also address the guests at the post-tournament awards party and auction, which will be attended by an additional 300 people - hopefully making donations to the Foundation.

Proceeds from The 65 Roses Golf & Tennis Classic will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 65 Roses is what some children with cystic fibrosis call their disease because the words are much easier for them to pronounce. For more than 40 years, 65 Roses has been used by children of all ages to describe their disease. The rose, appropriately the ancient symbol of love, has become a symbol of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Golf registration, a putting contest and lunch will begin at 11 a.m.. Jennifer Gold will make her remark at approximately 12:30 PM. Players will tee off at 1 p.m. and the event will feature a two-flight, four-person scramble format. Hole-in-one and proximity contests will run throughout the day, featuring one-of-a-kind prizes.

The tennis portion of the 65 Roses Golf & Tennis Classic will actually be played on Monday, November 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jacksonville Golf and Country Club and will consist of women's doubles matches.

New to this year's event is the addition of Pop-Up restaurants. Rather than having just one lunch spot before the tournament, food will be provided by six restaurants stationed throughout the golf course. Cantina Laredo, Brucci's Pizza, Urban Flatts, Big Dawg's Sports Tavern, PrepChefs and Jacksonville Golf & Country Club have all generously donated food and servers for this year's event. Cantina Laredo will also provide lunch for the tennis event.

One of the unique "events within the event" of the 65 Roses Golf & Tennis Classic is the post-event celebration. While admission to the event is included for golfers and tennis players, members of the community who don't play in the sports part are also invited to participate in the day by attending the after-party. For a $50 donation, guests will enjoy a culinary feast prepared by Jacksonville Golf & Country Club Executive Chef, Michael Ramsey, and dance to live music.

All guests are then welcome to participate in one of Jacksonville's most exciting live- and silent-auctions. Past auctions have included a day on the set of HBO's acclaimed series, Entourage; a one-week stay in a private French Villa; and an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas' Wynn Resort with unlimited golf on the exclusive Shadow Creek Golf Club;. Two of this year's prizes are a cameo roll at the Alhambra Theatre including tickets for 10 people, and a trip aboard America's Cup yacht, Stars & Stripes during an actual race. Charlene Shirk will be hosting this year's auction.

It is only with the generous support of its sponsors and its committee that the 65 Roses Golf & Tennis Classic could prosper. This year's top sponsors include, W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc., Wolfson Children's Hospital, MediaShare Consulting Group, Inc, Tennant Russell, LLC, PlaidParty.com, Bansley, Brescia & Co., P.C., Money Pages, Clockwork Marketing Services, Dalton Agency and American Airlines, Outstanding National Corporate Partner. Brumos Companies are donating four vehicles for Hole In One prizes.

A limited number of golf foursomes are still available at $1,600 and include lunch, golfer tee gift bags and entry to the awards reception. Tennis spots are available at $100 per player and include lunch, participant gift and entry to awards reception.

The 65 Roses committee includes Co-Chairs Jim McCarthy, president of business consulting firm Tennant Russell, LLC and Mark D. Berman, Managing Partner of MediaShare Consulting Group, a boutique marketing strategy company. The committee is anchored by Amber Blanton Burns, Linda Creamons, Don Cameron, Nate Burns, Kim Felix, Dave Gauthier, Brad Whitaker, Diane Carmichael, Alan Worley, Brian Quirk, Amanda Kellum, Rodney Mathis, Rick Persons, and Carlos Wilcox. "This committee is one of the most dedicated and hard working groups of leaders I have ever met," stated Claudia Werner, Executive Director of North Florida CF Foundation office. "Some have been on this committee since the beginning, and they all share a goal of making each year's event better than the prior year's. They set the bar higher and higher and always answer the call."
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) is the leading organization devoted to curing and controlling cystic fibrosis (CF), a life shortening genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system.

The CFF is recognized as one of the most efficient charities in the country. The Foundation received a coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management from Charity Navigator, the largest charity evaluator in the United States. According to Charity Navigator, the CFF demonstrates excellence in fiscal responsibility and outperforms a majority of nonprofit organizations in America with respect to fiscal management. Nearly 90 cents on every dollar raised by the CFF is available to fund cystic fibrosis research and care programs.

With the support of the CFF, there have been significant advances in CF research and care. The median survival age has improved from early childhood in the 1950s to 37 years today. After more than 50 years of service, the CFF remains committed to its core mission: to assure a means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. For more information, visit www.cff.org or call the North Florida CFF office at (904) 733-3560.

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