GFDD’s Second Annual Golf Tournament Establishes Bridges for Ongoing Cooperation

On Monday, October 1, Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) held its second GFDD Golf Tournament, celebrated at the historic Fresh Meadow Country Club, located in Flushings, Queens.

The event, which has become a GFDD tradition, featured the participation of 80 players. Guests enjoyed a welcome breakfast before hitting the course for the official start of the tournament. Players were welcomed by GFDD Executive Director, Natasha Despotovic, who thanked GFDD supporters for coming out to play to benefit the Foundation’s many programs and projects which seek to foster social, economic, democratic and cultural advancement in the Dominican Republic and throughout the Western Hemisphere.

The ceremonial tee off was realized by former Major League Baseball Player and long-standing friend of the Foundation, Mr. Juan Marichal, who officially kick-started the event with a hole-in-one shot.

2012 GFDD Golf Tournament participants enjoyed the sunny, warm autumn afternoon playing on the picturesque grounds of the Fresh Meadow Country Club, famous for its forested terrain, elevated tees and spectacular vistas.

After an afternoon on the course, GFDD supporters headed indoors for a cocktail soirée and raffle presided over by GFDD Tournament Technical Director, Willy Pumerol. Attendees were awarded with GFDD publications, commemorative autographed photographs of Juan Marichal, golf equipment and apparel and other gifts provided by our contributors.

The day-long festivities concluded with a dinner reception and awards ceremony officiated by GFDD Executive Director Natasha Despotovic, featuring the participation of former President of the Dominican Republic and President of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), Dr. Leonel Fernández.

Ms. Despotovic thanked everyone in attendance for their continued support for the initiatives realized by GFDD, both in the Dominican Republic and the United States. “We hope you like our programs. We hope you keep supporting us. And we hope you will be a member of our big, worldwide community,” conveyed the Executive Director of GFDD.

She acknowledged the involvement of Dr. Fernández and Mr. Marichal in the 2012 Tournament, and extended special gratitude to Mr. Rudy Fuertes, Head of the GFDD Golf Tournament Organizing Committee, for his dedication to the realization of the event and to the Foundation at large, describing him as “the soul and spirit behind the golf tournament.”

Following Ms. Despotovic’s address, Mr. Fuertes personally thanked donors for their meaningful contributions, which make it possible for GFDD to continue developing initiatives that benefit Dominicans both in the homeland and in the United States. He emphasized that the work of GFDD is of great relevance to the corporations represented at the event.

“I would like to encourage you all to participate, like I have, in the activities and programs that GFDD is developing in the Dominican Republic, and here, and around the world,” expressed Fuertes.

He described his experience getting involved with the second edition of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival. “The Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival educates the country on how to become green, and in our area, the supermarkets, taking into consideration all the plastic we recycle, it is very motivating to see how this organization is helping. But all these programs and initiatives have a cost,” stated Fuertes, “and without your contributions, all this is not possible. So I encourage all of you to help us to help this great foundation to be able to continue to realize these great programs and projects.”

Prior to the announcement of the awards, GFDD collaborators had the opportunity to watch the Foundation’s institutional video and learn about GFDD’s core programs: the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF); the Dominican Republic Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Environment; Dominican Get-Togethers; Portal Dominicanaonline.org; InteRDom Internships; The Fellows Program; the Photography Exhibit New Perspectives: Dominican Republic; the Dominican Film Showcase; the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic (UNA-DR); the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival (DRGFF); and the Global Media Arts Institute (GMAI).

The highlight of the night was the announcement and distribution of the 2012 GFDD Golf Tournament Winners in the categories of net score and gross score:

• 5th Place (net score) – Benny Rodríguez and Germany Medina
• 4th Place (net score) – José Manuel González and George Abad
• 3rd Place (net score) – Augusto Tevera and Joseph Wiscovitch
• 2nd Place (net score) – Francisco Jorge and Ricardo Bonett
• 2nd Place (gross score) – Gregory Bianco and Mark Varocci
• 1st Place (net score) – Steve Thebners Sr. and Mike Thebners
• 1st Place (gross score) – Leo Sánchez and Martin Rivas

Second, third, fourth and fifth place distinctions were distributed by GFDD Executive Director, Natasha Despotovic, and Director of the GFDD New York Office, Yamile Eusebio. First place distinctions were distributed by Dr. Leonel Fernández and Mr. Juan Marichal.

GFDD expresses its sincere gratitude to all individuals and institutions that contributed to the success of the 2012 edition of the GFDD Golf Tournament, and to all the participating individuals and corporations for their financial contributions, which enable the Foundation to develop programs in the critical areas of: economic and social development; education; communications and public opinion; health; culture; international relations; defense and security; knowledge management; information and communications technology; democracy; Dominican Studies; environment; globalization and regional integration.

The Foundation extends special thanks to the following institutions: Fine Fare Supermarkets, Compare Supermarkets, Mission Food, Food Nation, Tomra, Global Energy, Derle Farms, Key Food, Ozone Refrigeration, Advance Sales, Banco Popular, CBA, Hispanic Indoor Media, Carolina Rice, NSA-National Supermarket Association, Frito Lay, SV Products, Metropolitan Paper, ACE Advertisement, Edwin Travel, General Trading, Nebraska Land, Coca Cola, Café Santo Domingo, and Callaway-Golf Destinare.

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