NBAA 7th Annual Golf Tournament Raises $55,000 for Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Women

Contact: Cassandra Bosco

Orlando, FL, October 6, 2003 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) 7th Annual Chairman’s Charity Classic Golf Tournament yesterday raised a record $55,000 for Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women. This Orlando-based facility is dedicated exclusively to the needs of children and women, featuring a regional center for neonatal care, maternal intensive care unit, pediatric trauma center and children’s heart program. The sold-out event was played on two golf courses at ChampionsGate Golf Resort in ChampionsGate, FL.

NBAA Chairman George A. Saling of Altria Corporate Services, Inc. and NBAA President Shelley A. Longmuir presented a ceremonial check to golf legend Arnold Palmer on behalf of the hospital during the awards luncheon following the tournament.

“NBAA is extremely proud to benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women, which provides essential health care services for women and children in the Orlando area, as well as the entire Southeast region of the United States,” said Joe Ponte, NBAA vice president, membership, marketing & regional programs, who organized the tournament. “Aside from being one of the finest golfers in history and a veteran business aviator with more than 17,000 flight hours, Arnold Palmer is a great humanitarian. We are pleased and privileged to make this contribution to the hospital that bears his name.”

In the seven years that the NBAA Chairman’s Charity Classic has been in existence, Ponte said, this year’s total of $55,000 was the largest amount raised by the Classic to date.

NBAA recognized four sets of tournament winners. The Low Gross winners on the National Course, with a score of 59, were Ken McCall, John Rogers, Joel Turner and Keith Windham. The Low Net winners on the National Course, with a score of 54, included Mike Birchler, Alan Cook and Dan St. John.

The Low Gross winners on the International Course, with a score of 59, were Al Bernet, Jim Benepe, Brad Kost and Mike Tiller. The Low Net winners on the International Course, with a score of 54, were Kevin Larson, Rhonda Saxon, Anita Westman and Paolo Garzaroli.

For more information about the NBAA 56th Annual Meeting & Convention this week, visit www.nbaa.org/conventions/2003.

NBAA represents the aviation interests of more than 7,300 companies that own or operate general aviation aircraft as an aid to the conduct of their business, or are involved with business aviation. NBAA Member Companies earn annual revenues approaching $5 trillion — a number that is about half the gross domestic product — and employ more than 19 million people worldwide. The NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention is the world’s largest display of civil aviation products and services.

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