Golf Classic Nets $108K for Beacon House
Upper Michigan’s Steve Mariucci played a pivotal role in raising more than $108,000 for the Beacon House of Marquette.
The non-profit hospitality house released the following information in a press release today on the success of the 2nd Annual UP
Celebrity Golf Classic (UPCGC):
Steve Mariucci coached the organizers of the 2nd Annual UP Celebrity Golf Classic (UPCGC) to the equivalent of a Super Bowl win for
Beacon House in Marquette by helping to raise over $108,000 from the two day event on June 27 and 28.
The goal was to double the amount raised at the very successful Inaugural Event last year by adding the Heritage Course to the Greywalls golf outing, and increasing the number of event sponsors to supplement the operations of the hospitality house serving people from across the Upper Peninsula when they come to Marquette area for medical care.
“We knew by increasing the sponsorship levels we would also have to
deliver an even bigger and more exciting event,” said Sue LeGalley, UPCGC event chair. “The feedback so far has been that we overwhelmingly delivered just that. Our players and celebrities loved the Match Party catered by Elizabeth’s Chop House and were equally awed by the Marquette Golf Club’s first class operations and catering.”
The Mariucci Family Foundation was the presenting sponsor of the event, with Bacco Construction and MJ Electric as Title Sponsors.
The net amount raised by the golf event is equivalent of about one-third
of Beacon House annual operating funds needed for the year. Guest
contributions should make up another one-third, and other fundraising
efforts, if as successful, will make up the balance needed to run the
operation annually.
The UPCGC committee, comprised of Sue LeGalley, Cheryl Hosking (sister of Mariucci), Pam Benton, Kevin Manninen, Darlene Martin, Amy Hubinger, Marc Gilmore, Beacon House director of development Mary Dowling and director of operations Kellie Barry-Angeli, were elated with the results. They worked closely with Mariucci to put on an elaborate and unusual event to attract attention to Beacon House financial needs.
“We are incredibly fortunate that Steve Mariucci is the kind of supporter
that doesn’t just lend his name to an event, but takes and active role in
its success, as well,” Dowling said. “When he realized the potential this
could have for Beacon House, he really pushed us hard to expand it and to capitalize on the success of the first year. We were very nervous at times, with the state of the economy and people not having an abundance of discretionary funds. But in the end, everyone came through for Beacon House. That’s what it’s always been about, and this community has supported us in an extraordinary way. We are truly grateful.”
The organizers also learned in the process what made Mariucci such a
successful coach.
“He has the ability to ask you to do something you might not think you
can do, but with his belief in you, you just do it,” Dowling reflected.
“It took us over 10 months of planning and inviting, assembling over 30
vendors, gathering and hosting nearly 60 celebrities and 240 golfers for
a top-notch two day event to rival Pebble Beach and Lake Tahoe golf
events, but from the phone calls, cards and emails we have received, it
looks like we brought it home. Many of the celebrities have called us
since then from other events to tell us how ours made others pale in
comparison. That is a direct tribute to the hard working committee, Marc Gilmore, Candy Fletcher and the Marquette Golf Club staff and Tommy and Elizabeth Wahlstrom and their teams at L’Attitude and the Chop House.”
Planning for the Third Annual UP Celebrity Golf Classic, scheduled for
June 26 & 27 of 2013 will begin in September of 2012.