Junior Achievement of Manatee/Sarasota Raises More Than $60,000 With 12th Annual Golf Invitational

Sarasota, Florida – March 27, 2014 – Junior Achievement of Manatee/Sarasota raised more than $60,000 at its 12th Annual Invitational in February. Held at The Ritz-Carlton Members Club in Lakewood Ranch, the event featured an exclusive Professional-Amateur (Pro-Am) golf tournament attracting 92 golfers, including 70 amateurs and 22 professionals, who competed for a $4,000 purse. Among the professional golfers who participated was Guan Tianlang, the youngest person ever to make the cut in PGA Tour history to play in the 2013 Masters. “This event is always such an amazing experience that brings champions and casual golfers together for a wonderful cause,” said Maggie Haley, Executive Director of Junior Achievement of Manatee/Sarasota. “The revenue we raised will ensure that our educational programs continue to encourage students to stay in school and work toward their economic success.”

The all-day Pro-Am tournament was followed by a dinner celebration, a silent auction for a high-end putter and Ritz-Carlton gift certificates, and a chance for players to mingle with the golf pros. Sponsors for the event included Swiss Automation, Halfacre Construction, R.W. Baird & Co., Sun Hydraulics, DuPage Machine, Tervis Tumbler, The Ritz-Carlton Members Club, West Florida Golf Tour, Grapevine Communications Advertising Agency, and Rodriguez & Menendez Cigars.

Through a network of volunteers and in partnership with the Sarasota and Manatee School Districts, Junior Achievement teaches financial literacy programs to children in grades K through 12. In 2012-2013, the program will reach more than 6,000 students in Sarasota and Manatee counties. All proceeds from the Invitational will be used to deliver these vital programs.

 About Junior Achievement Sarasota/Manatee

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provides relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Visit JASarasota.org for more information.

Grapevine Communications, a full-service, award-winning Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations firm based in Sarasota and serving clients nationwide, was awarded the 2010 Frank G. Berlin, Sr., “Small Business of the Year” Award by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. For more information on Grapevine Communications, contact Miranda Spinner at MSpinner@grapeinc.com or 941-351-0024.