Gifts of Love Applauds Farmington Woods Golf Club "Greenskeeper's Revenge"

AVON:  For the eighth consecutive year, the members and guests of the Farmington Woods Golf Club sponsored their Greenskeeper's Revenge tournament, in support of Gifts of Love, the Avon-based charity that helps meet the basic needs of greater Hartford families who are experiencing temporary financial crisis.  This funding will support their Weekend Food Backpack Program.  Gifts of Love saw more than a 50% increase in the Weekend Food Backpack Program at the start of this school year, and now provides 162 kids with a backpack full of food to use over the weekend, every week, in Farmington, Avon, Simsbury, Canton and West Hartford.

“The relationship with Farmington Woods has been wonderful for us,” said Diana Goode, Executive Director.  “Gifts of Love is supported by corporate and individual patrons, but I think that the Greenskeeper’s Revenge is one of our volunteers’ most creative events.  And Farmington Woods is the only golf community we have that runs its own fund-raiser expressly for our benefit.”

In a Revenge tournament, the golf course’s Greenskeeper contrives to place the pin at each golf green in the most difficult putting position.  “I enjoy a challenge, and I play this championship course as often as I can,” says long-time club member Ivan Mendelsohn.  “But the Revenge event is beyond ‘challenging’.  If it weren’t for such a good cause, I could be totally dejected at the end of the round.”

In lieu of an entry fee, the golfers were asked to bring bags of groceries, gift cards or cash donations.  This request was also circulated to the 1,100 households in the Farmington Woods condominium community.  The event was completely sold out.

The Farmington Woods Golf Club has supported charitable organizations since 1985.  In 2006 their Golf Committee decided to direct their support locally.  Since then they have provided truckloads of non-perishable food, and raised thousands of dollars for Gifts of Love.  “It’s as if their families have adopted our families,” said Ms. Goode gratefully. “As we enter the holiday season, when the needs are greatest, support like this is simply heartwarming.  We could not meet the increased demand of programs like Weekend Food Backpack Program without community support.”

For more information about Gifts of Love Programs, or The Farmington Woods Golf Club, please go to these websites:  www.giftsoflovect.org and farmingtonwoods.com/Golf-Home.aspx