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RSW Living Magazine

Minnesota Twins Celebrity Golf Classic Celebrates 20th Year This February

Jan 26, 2018 02:18PM ● By Kevin
Lee Health Foundation recently announced the Minnesota Twins will help patients treated at Lee Health’s Regional Cancer Center by donating their time and talent in support at the Minnesota Twins Celebrity Golf Classic for the 20th year. The tournament will take place Feb. 13 & 15 at Fiddlesticks Country Club, 15391 Canongate Drive, Fort Myers.

When the Twins moved to their current spring training home, they had interest in partnering with a local charity and reached out to (then) Lee Memorial Health System. At the time, the system’s cancer treatment center was housed inside Lee Memorial Hospital, but they did not have enough space to accommodate their growing need.

With the support of the Twins and generous community donors, the current Regional Cancer Center opened in October 2008. The space is under construction now to expand and accommodate needed services. Proceeds from the tournament help offset these costs as well as provide lifesaving treatment to under and uninsured cancer patients.
 
To kick off the tournament, Twins fans, Regional Cancer Center supporters and Major League Baseball enthusiasts are invited to the annual “Minnesota Mixer” on Tuesday, Feb. 13. A $65 admission ticket allows guests to enjoy dinner, cocktails and the chance to place bids and take home outstanding auction items.

The evening also includes a Q&A session from Twins general manager Thad Levine. Auction lots include Taylor Swift tickets, a chance to throw out the first pitch at a Twins home game at Target Field, luxurious stays at resort hotels, and items autographed by Minnesota Twins legends to name a few.

Since it is the 20th anniversary, the committee is working hard to provide the golfers and event attendees with giveaways and prizes to thank them for their support throughout the years. As always, sponsors and golfers will partner with members of the Twins organization, like Joe Mauer, Paul Molitor (American League Manager of the Year), Hall-of-Famers Bert Blyleven, Brian Dozier, Torii Hunter and more. For the first time ever, there will be a helicopter ball drop, where a lucky winner will take home $2,500.

Pre-numbered golf balls will be dropped onto the driving range at Fiddlesticks Country Club and the ball closest to or in the hole wins! The ball drop is open to the community, so you do not have to be present to win.

Golfers will enjoy a scramble format golf tournament paired with current Minnesota Twins players, management and legends on Thursday, Feb. 15. The event includes golf, lunch, on-course refreshments, hole-in-one prizes and dinner at a cost of $350 per player.
 
“The partnership between the Minnesota Twins and the Regional Cancer Center is extraordinary,” said Skip Leonard, chief foundation officer for Lee Health Foundation, in a recent press release. “Each year the Twins outdo themselves in terms of providing players to take part in the golf and mixer events. We are truly fortunate, as is our community, to have such wonderful charitable partners here in our area.

"The Twins organization has certainly had a major impact in providing access to lifesaving cancer care for under and uninsured patients at the Regional Cancer Center.”
 
Pre-registration is required for both Twins events.  Great sponsorship opportunities are also available. Those wishing to take part should email [email protected] or call Lee Health Foundation at 239-343-6106.  To register online, please visit LeeHealthFoundation.org/Twins.
 
Lee Health Foundation raises philanthropic dollars on behalf of Lee Health including Cape Coral Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark Medical Center, Lee Memorial Hospital, and Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. The Foundation provides financial support for many service areas including the Regional Cancer Center, Lee Health – Coconut Point, The Rehabilitation Hospital, Shipley Cardiothoracic Center, Community Health Clinics and Golisano Children’s Hospital Specialty Clinics in both Charlotte and Naples.

Over the past two years, the Foundation has distributed more than $53 million to Lee Health to support its lifesaving mission. Please visit LeeHealthFoundation.org or call (239) 343-6950 for more information about the role of Lee Health philanthropy in Southwest Florida.