More than 225 supporters turned out for the 2017 annual Ultimate Golf Experience (UGE), which raised more than $700,000. Among the guests were celebrities who have remained loyal champions in the fight against CF for over two decades -- including UGE event host and Grammy Award-winning comedian Lewis Black, and acclaimed country music singer and songwriter Victoria Shaw.
Black, the CF Foundation's Celebrity Ambassador, first became involved 23 years ago at the request of comedian Rosie O'Donnell, whose nephew has CF. Inspired to do more, he became a staunch advocate for those living with the disease, encouraging friends from the entertainment industry to join him. Shaw, who became involved with the CF Foundation in 1998, has been performing at UGE for nearly 10 years and serves as talent coordinator, lining up big names in the country music business.
“We appreciate the generous support of all those attending UGE, who have turned out year after year to help bring us closer to our ultimate goal of a cure for everyone living with CF,” said Marc Ginsky, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the CF Foundation. “We have made so much progress in extending life, but the road to a cure is a long one, and we need the continued support of all those in our community to help reach the finish line.”
Shaw and Black were joined by other entertainers and celebrities, including Kathleen Madigan, Jeff Cesario, Jeff Stilson, Connie Chung, Maury Povich, Matt Rogers, and Matt Iseman. Shaw dazzled the crowd, singing “One Heart at a Time,” a song she wrote to benefit the CF Foundation, along with award-winning songwriters Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr.
A very special thank you goes out to the following corporations and individuals for their generosity in bringing this event to life:
- The Seattle Group: Coordinated by Chad Moore, who has supported UGE since the beginning
- The Louisiana Group: Coordinated by Steve Orlando
- The Tulsa Group: Coordinated by Mark Marra
Chairmen
- Founding Chairman: David Mount, National Trustee
- UGE Chairman: Mark Marra from Tulsa, Okla.
Sponsors
- American Airlines
- AbbVie
- The Huggins Family
- Roche Bros. Supermarkets
- Jeff Dinneen
- Allegra Print and Imaging
- Loring Wine Company
- Genentech
- BJ's Restaurants, Inc.
- Tulsa Friends
Corporate Foursomes
- Lewis Black
- Boomer Esiason Foundation
- Kurszewski/Staffacher/Bechen/Jones
- Steve Orlando
- Park Bank