Nine PGA TOUR golfers have been the first to commit to play in the Women’s Care Peace at Home Pro-Am Golf Tournament scheduled for Oct. 23-24 at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach — the first pro-am golf tournament to raise money for the Betty Griffin Center.
Players include Len Mattiace, Brittany Lincicome, Matt Every, Brett Drewitt, Bill Kratezert, Deane Beman, Luke Guthrie, Mark Blakefield and Justin Hueber — with more expected to join the Women’s Care Pro-Am over the next month to round out the field of PGA TOUR golfers.
After turning pro in 1990, Mattiace has enjoyed a successful career highlighted by two PGA TOUR wins and a dramatic, runner-up finish at the Masters. Meanwhile, Lincicome is an American professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour and is one of the longest drivers in women's golf, leading the LPGA in driving distance during her 2005 rookie year with an average of 270.3 yards. Every has been playing professional golf since 2006 and currently competes in the PGA TOUR and played Nationwide Tour beforehand. Every has won three professional tours to date, including two PGA TOURs and a Korn Ferry Tour.
“We’re thrilled that our first group of pros has joined us for this major fundraiser,” said event co-chairs and Betty Griffin Center board members Dr. Tim Baird and Jayne Evans. “Having players of this caliber participate in the tournament raises the visibility of the Betty Griffin Center and will deliver a terrific player experience.”
For the best golf experience, the field is limited to 80 players, not including the 20 professionals. The cost is $1,200 per player, which includes dinner, breakfast, a golfer’s clinic, the tournament and the Champion’s Reception. Players can find out more information at bettygriffincenter.org/2022golfproam or register directly at app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/BettyGriffinHouse/PlayerRegistration.html.
“Our goal for the tournament is to establish a first-tier pro-am that will help fund the critical ongoing work of the Betty Griffin Center,” Evans said. “Also, we’re excited that all the major sponsorship opportunities have been filled, with only a few hole sponsors remaining.”
Major sponsors include “Healing & Hope” sponsor Brittany & Bill Horschel, “Gold Sponsor” Jaguars Foundation and “Silver Sponsors” Douglas Elliman — The Kim Martin-Fisher-Jennifer Martin Faulker Group. Other new sponsors include VyStar, Beaches Dermatology, Pearmid Properties, Ansbacher Law, Maserati Jacksonville, Lazzara Orthodontics and the Preddy Law Firm.
The tournament kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, with a welcome cocktail reception, dinner, a live auction and the announcement of pairings of the foursomes with the professionals.
On Monday, Oct. 24, Tournament Day will include registration and a light breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by a clinic conducted by professional players. Tee-off is 10:15 a.m. The tournament will be followed by a Champion’s Reception from 3 to 5 p.m. All events occur at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach, located at 101 Plantation Drive.
The Betty Griffin Center was founded in 1990 by concerned citizens and incorporated as the Safety Shelter of St. Johns County to develop plans to provide shelter for local victims of domestic violence and their children. Today, Betty Griffin Center serves more than 1,000 victims of domestic and sexual abuse annually, operates a 24-hour help line, emergency shelter, provides professional counseling for victims of domestic and sexual abuse, provides age-appropriate violence prevention training and operates two thrift stores at Julington Square and Anastasia Square to assist in funding the agency’s ongoing operations.
