Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic Celebrates Ten Successful Years

10/10/2008

Andy Garcia prepares for a drive at the Celebrity Golf Classic.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s Celebrity Golf Classic celebrated its tenth anniversary in style, bringing together stars from TV, film, and professional sports and raising more than $600,000 to support the Foundation’s lifesaving programs. The event, held October 6 at the exclusive Lakeside Golf Club in Burbank, California, has raised more than $5 million over its decade-long history.

“So many wonderful celebrities come back year after year…This is one of the events that they look forward to because it really is helping children around the world,” said Foundation President and CEO Pam Barnes. “We know what to do, we are making a difference, and we will eradicate pediatric AIDS.”

“It’s for the kids, without question,” said veteran celebrity golfer Sugar Ray Leonard. “The Foundation is dear to my heart, and hopefully one day, through everyone collectively, we’ll be able to eradicate this horrendous disease.”

Sylvester Stallone introduces himself to Kathy Ireland before the Golf Classic.

Joe Pesci (L) and Dr. Peter Waldstein set off in their golf cart.

The weather was perfect, providing an ideal excuse to spend the day outside on a Monday. Several teams of golfers and celebrities participated, including celebrity co-hosts James Caan, Sylvester Stallone, and Joe Pesci. The Classic was hosted by event chairman and longtime Foundation friend Peter Waldstein, M.D., and honorary chairmen Paul Glaser, Robert Margolis, and Jan Rosen.

Golfers began arriving at 10:00 a.m. to eat breakfast, socialize, and limber up. Tee-off was at noon and golf teams spent a sunny afternoon on the course, competing in closest to the pin and longest drive contests for various luxury prizes. Golfers in need of a break from the competition could indulge in a power massage or relax with a cigar.

Each foursome included a celebrity participant and there were plenty of familiar faces on the course, including: actors Kyle Maclachlan, Andy Garcia, Tim Allen, and Foundation Ambassador Neal McDonough; athletes Bruce Jenner, Dave Winfield, and Kenny Lofton; and many more.

Tim Allen (L) and Richard Karn stop for a break on the course.

Dave Winfield (L) and James Caan relax after a long day of golfing.

Post-tournament, there was plenty of time to relax with a cocktail while enjoying magic tricks from magician Lord Howard Posener, who has become an annual tradition at the Golf Classic. The guests enjoyed a delicious spread of food outdoors with a lovely view of the sun setting over Toluca Lake.

Foundation co-founder Susie Zeegen kicked off the evening program by thanking all the organizers, participants, and sponsors for being part of the tenth annual Golf Classic. Zeegen presented Waldstein with a plaque, thanking him for his ten years of loyal service, before Sharon Stone, three-year veteran host of the live auction, took the stage.

Guests watch Sharon Stone work her magic during the live auction.

Sharon Stone cajoles the audience to continue bidding.

With her usual bravado, Stone auctioned off several fantastic prizes, including golf weekends at some of the country’s finest courses and even a piece of her own eveningwear. Thanks to Stone’s powers of persuasion, the auction raised an impressive $45,000 – a fitting end to a decade of successful Golf Classics.

“We all have something to give, and we all have something we can do,” to eradicate pediatric AIDS, Stone said.

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The Foundation would like to extend special thanks to the following sponsors and supporters:


Sponsors

Airline Sponsor United Airlines	Participating Sponsor Ziegler Family Trust
Dinner Sponsor Wasserman Foundation	Driving Range Sponsor Brad And Colleen Bell
Lunch Sponsor John W. Carson Foundation	Hole Liner Sponsor Wolf Productions
Golf Cart Sponsor Guess? Inc.	Entertainment Sponsor Steve Tisch
Hole Sponsors John W. Carson Foundation The Cherokee Group MBT - The anti-show Men's Health Nigro Karlin Segal & Feldstein, LLP Ethan Penner & Joe Penner Platinum Equity  Sandler O’Neill & Partners Self-Esteem	Photography Sponsor Alec Gores Footwear Sponsor MBT - The anti-shoe Breakfast Sponsor Jonathan Firestone
Caddy Bib Sponsor Professional Produce	Long Drive Sponsor Peter Morton
Gift Bag Sponsor City National Bank	Video Sponsor Netflix
Sunglasses Sponsor Robert Heller