Ultimate Golf Experience Brings the CF Cause to a Calif. Coast

Comedians Lewis Black and Kathleen Madigan (center) teamed up with Willie Reale (left) and Patrick Madigan (right) at the 2010 Ultimate Golf Experience.

Held at the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Coast, Calif., the five-day event was a tremendous success, with more than 100 golfers raising several hundred thousand dollars.

“I am grateful to the golfers and volunteers who make the Ultimate Golf Experience one of the Foundation’s most exciting events each year,” said C. Richard Mattingly, Foundation executive vice president and chief operating officer. “These special donors provide critical support for CF programs that change the lives of thousands of families affected by this disease.”

Once again, dear friend and honorary trustee of the CF Foundation Lewis Black was on hand to offer his generous support and inspire some big laughs from guests.

Anna Villani, sister of the late Gio Villani, for whom the Gio Award is named, and event chair David Mount.

Each year, golfers compete for the Gio Award, named in honor of golf enthusiast Giovanni Villani, who lived with cystic fibrosis until the age of 14.

This year’s honoree was CF Foundation volunteer Mike Brazier, who won the tournament.

Mike Brazier, tournament winner and recipient of the Gio Award; Jim St. George; Chad Moore, CF Foundation Board member; and Terry Thomas.

“I realize that for a person living with cystic fibrosis, I am extremely lucky,” she said. “I am fortunate to not only have the best family and friends a person could ask for, but to also have an organization like the CF Foundation looking out for me. The Foundation has given back to me and countless others the joys of life that many take for granted.”