Philanthropists, Athletes and Artists Support GFDD through the Golf Tournament

The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) celebrated the “IX GFDD Golf Tournament” on November 21st at Deering Bay Country Club in Coral Gables, Florida, with a total of 85 players. Dr. Leonel Fernández, President of the foundation attended the award ceremony gala, where he gave the 1st net and 1st gross awards, alongside GFDD executive director Natasha Despotovic.

Yamile Eusebio, director of GFDD New York, gave the welcoming remarks, while Ricardo Jacobo, as director of the GFDD Golf Tournament, took the first teed off. Jacobo thanked the sposots and invited all guests to support the tireless efforts that GFDD carries out both in the United States and in the Dominican Republic.

Cuban American actor and
singer Jencarlos Canela joined the inauguration and attended the award ceremony. Canela, soap opera actors, has also won Premio lo Nuestro for his music career.

The IX Golf Tournament GFDD 2016 was created to foster social, economic, democratic and cultural advancement in the Dominican Republic. The GFDD tournament was designed with the purpose of contributing to the more than 18 programs that the organization currently has. Every year the event is made possible through
the efforts of the GFDD staff and sponsors such as LINKS WorldGroup, BVK, Reyja, NEC Investment, Cielo RD, Metro Agencia de Viajes, Movil Plus, Loteria, Pinnacle, NexTech, Barceló, UCP, Little Switzerland, El Artístico, BP Media, OROLOGI, Balcera, Alhambra, Mahou, Porto Real D’Class, Balcera and GEM.

Natasha Despotovic, GFDD Executive Director, after presenting the foundation’s institutional video and the achievements of the Golf tournament, commented that “The GFDD golf tournaments are attended by leading figures from the philanthropic field, prominent sports figures, and others who through the years have supported GFDD’s programs. They are an opportunity to share time with partners and friends as well as to engage supporters, build
community and promote fundraising efforts.”

“I believe in GFDD and what Leonel Fernandez, former president of Dominican Republic, has set out to accomplish. We live in a world where helping our youth achieve greatness not only impacts their financial futures and our country, but more importantly shapes the way our country is perceived in the rest of the world. Dominican Republic is an excellent opportunity for international companies looking for talent
and for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the areas of education, science and technology,” said LINKS WorldGroup Chairman Edward de Valle II.

The winners were awarded with the trophies donated by José Ignacio Morales, el Artístico, who has created the unique pieces for nine consecutive editions of the tournament. The winners of the 2nd gross category were also gifted with GFDD’s most recent publication, LO DOMINICANO I ALL
THINGS DOMINICAN.
Next tournament in Miami will take place November 20, 2017. Save the date!

Awards
1st net: Steve Myrick and Garrett Butler. Score 64
2nd net: Carlos Pizan and Juan Vega. Score 65
3rd net: Carlos Cadet and Francisco Rivas. Score 65.
4th net: Manoj B Hatti and Mr. Mattersmith. Score 66.
Closest to the hole 2: Enrique Garcia
Closest to the hole
5: Julio Sardinas
Closest to the hole 8: Kirk Hugh
1st Gross: Ariel Marmolejos and Joel Duarte. Score 61.
2nd Gross: Danny Bustamante and Nick Alexander. Score 64.
Closest to the hole 12: Teo Perez
Closest to the hole 16: Alejandro Martinez 
Closest to the hole 18: Nathan Forster

About Golf Tournaments
The GFDD golf tournaments are attended by leading figures
from the philanthropic field, prominent sports figures, and others who through the years have supported GFDD’s programs. They are an opportunity to share time with partners and friends as well as to engage supporters, build community and promote fundraising efforts.