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Tee-Off Applauds Sponsor Support for the Upcoming 35th Annual Guiding Eyes Golf Classic
welcomed New York Giants quarterback and Super Bowl XLVI champion Eli Manning at the Spring Tee-Off for their 35th annual Guiding Eyes for the Blind Golf Classic.
The sponsor recognition party, which marked Manning’s first public appearance since his recent gig hosting SNL, was once again held at in White Plains.
Joined by Guiding Eyes puppies, staff, and supporters, Eli Manning was in high spirits as he mingled with the crowd and expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming Classic.
Returning for his sixth year as host, Eli was introduced to Guiding Eyes’ Golf Classic through family friend and 21-time Corcoran Cup champion Patrick W. Browne, Jr.
“Each year that I host the Golf Classic I’m reminded of how many people Guiding Eyes is helping to live their lives to the fullest,” said Manning. “Not only do Guiding Eyes dogs provide independence to blind and visually impaired people, they also assist children with autism. I’ve been told Heeling Autism program has just placed its thirty-eighth dog within a family. I feel privileged and excited to
play a part in such a dynamic organization.”
The Tee-Off featured Guiding Eyes graduate Lisa Cantwell, a special education teacher at New York City’s who was born with an underdeveloped retina.
Lisa used a white mobility cane until 2011, when she accidentally fell onto train tracks. Traumatized from the incident, Lisa was convinced by a friend working at PepsiCo to contact Guiding Eyes, where she was eventually
paired with guide dog Ogden. “The first time that I walked alone with Ogden, I felt truly independent and free,” said Lisa. “Ogden has changed my life forever.”
For the fifth consecutive year, Mulino’s of Westchester generously donated their facility and hospitality for the Tee-Off.
With a spotless reputation for its outstanding food, warm atmosphere, and exceptional service, Mulino’s has been continually voted among the best Italian restaurants in Westchester County.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind will hold its Golf Classic on June 11, 2012 at Mount Kisco Country Club in Mount Kisco, N.Y. and Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, C.T. – two of the region’s most preferred and challenging courses.
The field will include golfers hosted by Diamond Sponsors PepsiCo’s Gatorade and Entergy Nuclear Northeast. Guiding Eyes hopes the event will raise more than $600,000 for its programs and services.
Founded by PGA legend Ken Venturi in 1977, the Golf Classic has raised over $7 million for the nonprofit organization, which provides guide dogs – at no charge – to blind and visually impaired men and women around the world.
Last year 288 golfers teed off, raising more than $650,000 for the organization.
As part of the Classic, Guiding Eyes will also present the Corcoran Cup, the “Masters” of blind golf, on Sunday, June 10, in Mount Kisco. Fifteen top U.S. Blind Golfers Association (USBGA) players will compete for the coveted award, including recurring champion Patrick W. Browne, Jr.
Each blind golfer plays with a coach who aids in club selection, alignment, setup, and distances. On Monday, blind golfers will challenge their sighted counterparts to experience golf as a visually impaired person by inviting them to take a shot at hitting the ball blindfolded.
Spectators are welcome at the Corcoran Cup; registration is required for gallery seating.
To find out more about making a contribution or for general golf information, please contact Michelle Brier, Director of Marketing and Communications, at 914.243.2208 or mbrier@guidingeyes.org.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind will hold a drawing June 11th for a chance to win a 2013 BMW 128i, sponsored in part by BMW of Mount Kisco, or a pair of Rolex watches, provided by Rolex.
Only 1,000 tickets will be sold at $100 each and the winners do not need to be present to win. Tickets can be purchased online at www.guidingeyes.org/raffle or by calling 914-761-7111.
All proceeds benefit Guiding Eyes, the nonprofit school providing guide dogs to blind men and women and service dogs to families with autistic children. Signed sports memorabilia, exotic vacations and exclusive experiences are available as part of the event’s online auction.
Place your bids at www.biddingforgood.com/guidingeyes.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is located at 611 Granite Springs Road in Yorktown Heights, NY. They can be reached at 914.245.4024 or by visiting www.guidingeyes.org.
About Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Guiding Eyes for the Blind (www.guidingeyes.org), an internationally accredited nonprofit guide dog school, was founded in 1954 to enrich the lives of blind and visually impaired men and women by providing them with the freedom to travel safely, thereby assuring greater independence, dignity and expanded horizons of opportunity.
Since that time, Guiding Eyes has become one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, graduating more than 7,300 guide dog teams. It provides superbly
bred Guiding Eyes dogs, professional training and follow-up support services to students at no cost to them and depends on contributions to fulfill its mission.
The comprehensive cost of breeding, raising, preparing, training, and supporting a Guiding Eyes team is $45,000. Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Headquarters and Training Center is located in Yorktown Heights, NY and the
Canine Development Center is in Patterson, NY.
