Page 1 - PGA Community News - May '22

VOL. 32 NO. 5 FAX 561-624-9088 • E-MAIL canpga@yahoo.com MAY 2022

PGA National Members Give Back To Our Community

In early April, two member
events were held in support of
local charities. The first was
sponsored by the Women’s Golf
Association and the second by
the Sports and Racquet Club’s
(SRC) staff and members.
Clinics Can Help
On Friday April 1 our
Women’s Golf Association
hosted a charity golf tournament,
luncheon and silent auction
raising over $25,000 for Clinics
Can Help (CCH), a nonprofit
organization based in West Palm Beach. CCH provides medical
equipment and health supplies helping individuals rehabilitate
and recover from trauma and/or chronic conditions. Funds
raised at this member event specifically supported the Kinder
Program at CCH, dedicated to serving the needs of children
in our local area. CCH representative Jamie Walton spoke
at the luncheon, expressing thanks to cochairs Susan Hazan
and Judy Borinstein and committee members Karen Malvese,
Susan Cushing and Debbie Viapiano. If you would like more
information about this event and this organization, please contact
Judy Borinstein at ronjudy101@gmail.com.
Love Serving Autism (LSA)
LSA’s mission is to expand life skills, especially functional
communication, through specialized therapeutic tennis Parents and friends expressed their thanks to PGA National’s efforts to do the same. In addition, in 2021 the Community
instruction. LSA aims to increase community inclusion and Director of Tennis Alex Pop-Moldovan,Tennis Committee chair Outreach Committee established the Community Outreach
independence of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Lisa Klaire and Claire Leinheardt and Sheryl Greene of the Charitable Fund, a committee-advised fund, made up of
On Saturday morning April 2 SRC staff and members Community Outreach Committee. donations made by members of PGA National. Each of the
welcomed 35 children and their families to an event filled PGA National Member’s Community Outreach Committee weekend’s events received a $1,000 grant from the fund. If
morning of tennis at PGA National. They were joined by seven The mission of the Community Outreach Committee is to you are a PGA National member and you would like additional
FAU players and 16 pros creating an unforgettable experience support local not-for-profit agencies in the Palm Beach Gardens information on the fund and the work undertaken by the
for these children. Over $7,000 was raised to support LSA. area and to support PGA National member committees in their committee please contact Jill Tane at jmtane@aol.com.
Commissioner’s Update

By Commissioner Maria Marino billion, 10 percent higher than 2019. According to Discover Sports Commission estimates an economic impact of over
The Palm Beaches, Palm Beach County’s tourism marketing $60 million from the Honda Classic.
Tourism Hits A High Note agency, more than 8.2 million people visited the county in 2019, More than 200,000 people attended the 2022 Honda Classic,
and projections for 2022 predict up to 8.5 million visitors. which also honored young local golf competitors. Net proceeds
When you think about Many factors, in addition to the idyllic climate, benefit south Florida nonprofit organizations through Honda
the economic vitality of our combine to make Palm Beach County a major destination. Classic Cares. One such nonprofit is the Nicklaus Children’s
community, a key sustaining Our extensive, award-winning parks system; spectacular Health Care Foundation, which supports the advancement of
driver is tourism. Total visitor beaches, which we work hard to maintain and re-nourish diagnosis, treatment and prevention of childhood diseases and
spending throughout Palm together with coastal dunes; our natural areas system; disorders, as well as programs and projects aimed at health care
Beach County for 2021 cultural and community events; recreational opportunities; and community services. Last year, Honda Classic Cares shared
was $5.5 billion. The total superior accommodations; and easily-accessible airport are more than $5 million with nonprofit organizations and over $60
economic impact by visitors some of the many reasons travelers choose Palm Beach million since its inception.
to Palm Beach County for County. Not surprising, those same amenities have drawn As a Class-A member of the Ladies Professional Golf
2021 was a record-shattering numerous business relocations to our area. Association, I am proud to serve as an ambassador for the sport
$7.8 billion. Hotel room night One of the major events that continues to draw visitors and to support local golf programs for at-risk youth. With more
revenue was more than $1 is the Honda Classic, which brings the world’s best PGA golf courses than any other county in the country, Palm Beach
tour players to Palm Beach County continues to draw visitors and new residents who can
County. More than a golf enjoy golf year-round as a lifelong sport.
tournament, the weeklong, Fortunately, during the state legislative session which just
volunteer-driven event ended, no additional tourist development tax expansions were
was held this year at PGA passed, and Visit Florida received another five-year extension
National Resort & Spa in to continue its marketing programs to draw travelers to
Palm Beach Gardens from Florida destinations.
Feb. 21 to 27 and has a So, when traffic gets a bit more congested during our winter/
global reach in attracting spring season, remember that tourism helps attract new business
attendees and contributors.
The Palm Beach County Commissioner’s Update on page 2