Sun Sports HEAT TV broadcasters and two of South Florida’s leading sports media personalities, Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino celebrated the end of the sixth annual Reid & Fiorentino Call Of The Game Dinner & Celebrity Golf Classic, alongside today’s sports icons and philanthropic heroes of our community, with a triumphant salute to two of the most celebrated local charity organizations and beneficiaries – Lauren’s Kids Foundation and the Dade Schools Athletic Foundation. The two-day fund raising event and highlight of social season once again attracted some of the region’s biggest names in sports and entertainment, while honoring the achievements by some of the today’s most acclaimed community leaders.
The annual Reid & Fiorentino Celebrity Golf Classic Presented by SHARP kicked-off the events on Thursday, March 8th at Turnberry Isle Miami. More than 50 foursomes took to the two exclusive championship courses for an enjoyable day of competitive golf despite the threat of looming dark clouds overhead. During the post-golf awards reception, Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino, took to the stage to commemorate the work of Lauren Book, founder of Lauren’s Kids Foundation, before a series of sports merchandise and memorabilia were handed-out during the post-tournament raffle. Competition winners were awarded custom-made Reid & Fiorentino cut-glass trophies, with first place awards going the team made up of Blair Byrnes, Jack Brown, Bobby Chahal, Alex Thornton and Mark Higgs, as winners on the Miller Course, and Bruce Keir, Doug Donn, Bob Ethridge, Mike Stiber and Patti Rizzo, as the winning team from the Soffer Course. Runners-up awards were also presented, along with prizes for the “Most Honest,” ”Closest-to-the-Hole” and “Longest Drive” for both courses.
Former Miami Dolphins quarterback and NFL Hall of Famer, Dan Marino, participated in this year’s competition and former Indianapolis Colts South Floridian native, Pierre Garcon, also made an appearance to show his support. Participating celebrity team captains included: AJ Duhe (Miami Dolphins), Benny Blades (Detroit Lions), Brandon Fields (Miami Dolphins), Bob Brudzinski (Miami Dolphins), Bryant Salter (Miami Dolphins), Dan Carpenter (Miami Dolphins), Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins), Darrell Fullington (Minnesota Vikings), Darrell Malone (Miami Dolphins), Darryl Talley (Buffalo Bills), Darryl Williams (Cincinnati Bengals), Derrick Rogers (Miami Dolphins), Dick Anderson (Miami Dolphins), Don Nottingham (Miami Dolphins), Eddie Hill (Miami Dolphins), Freddie Banks (Miami Dolphins), George Mira (San Francisco 49ers), Higgy (Miami Dolphins), James Pruitt (Miami Dolphins), Jason Jackson (Miami HEAT), Jed Weaver (Miami Dolphins), Jeff Cross (Miami Dolphins), Joey Cornblit (Jai Alai), John Congemi (CFL), John Crotty (Miami HEAT), John Denney (Miami Dolphins), John Harris (Seattle Seahawks), John “Footy” Kross (radio personality),John L. Williams (St. Louis Cardinals), Jose Paneda (Miami HEAT), Keith Askins (Miami HEAT), Keith Sims (Miami Dolphins), Ki-Jana Carter (Cincinnati Bengals), Larry Ball (Miami Dolphins), Larry Little (Miami Dolphins), Lorenzo Hampton (Miami Dolphins), Mark Duper (Miami Dolphins), Mike Inglis (Miami HEAT), Mike Miller (Miami HEAT), Mike Williams (Miami Dolphins), Nat Moore (Miami Dolphins), Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), OJ Anderson (New York Giants), OJ McDuffie (Miami Dolphins), Patti Rizzo (LPGA), Oronde Gadsen (Miami Dolphins), Q Hill (Miami Hurricanes), Randall Hill (Miami Dolphins), Reggie Givens (San Francisco 49ers), Rich Romano (Detroit Tigers), Shane Battier (Miami HEAT), Shawn Wooden (Miami Dolphins), Steve Whitaker (New York Yankees), Terry Kirby (Miami Dolphins), Tony Nathan (Miami Dolphins), Troy Drayton (Miami Dolphins), Valeria Ochoa (LPGA), Walter Briggs (New York Jets), Lamar Thomas (Miami Dolphins), Eddie Brown (Cincinnati Bengals), Bernard Ford (Buffalo Bills) and Woody Bennett (Miami Dolphins).
The Call Of The Game Dinner Presented by Publix took place on Friday, March 9th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Renowned sports anchor and broadcaster, Jason Jackson, emceed the evening’s entertainment as the Master of Ceremonies, while some of today’s most distinguished individuals were honored for their work towards making a difference “behind the scenes” in our community. With an illustrious attendance of sports personalities, business leaders and notable philanthropists, the event included a silent auction, featuring sporting memorabilia and luxury items that attendees were able to bid on at the start of the evening, as well as a live auction, mediated by Jason Jackson, featuring sporting memorabilia, lavish vacation packages and one-of-a-kind experiences, among other items. The evening began with live entertainment, including an electrifying performance by internationally acclaimed master of the Harp, Victor Espinola.
The dinner featured a number of prestigious awards presented for excellence and leadership in the community. Former Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame quarterback and NFL/College Football Analyst for almost three decades, Bob Griese, was presented with the Don Shula Sports Legend Award following a memorable introduction from Tony Fiorentino. This award honors an outstanding sports legend that has demonstrated a passion for their sport and brings that same passion off the playing field to their community. Past award winners include Dr. Jack Ramsay, Coach Don Shula and Alonzo Mourning. Broadcaster, Joe Rose, received the Sonny Hirsch Excellence in Sports Broadcasting Award, presented by his close friend, Eric Reid. This award honors an outstanding sport broadcaster that has had a great impact in their field, while making notable accomplishments within the community. Past award winners include Tony Segreto, Hank Goldberg and the late-great Jim Mandich. Bill Fauerbach and Publix was presented with the Community Service Award for outstanding work throughout South Florida by Ron Book. This award honors exceptional individuals or organizations that have shown a great love and passion for improving our community. Past award winners include Dwyane Wade, Tracy Wilson Mourning and Dr. Barth Green with daughter Jenna Green. This year’s 2012 Call Of The Game Dinner introduced a new and unique award for the very first year to commemorate the legendary broadcaster, Jim Mandich. The inaugural Jim Mandich Courage and Commitment Award was presented to Nick Buoniconti and Marc Buoniconti by Jim Mandich’s three sons – Michael, Mark, and Nick, for their outstanding work with The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. Father and son both took to the stage to give moving thank you speeches in front of an admiring audience, that included Miami HEAT icon, Alonzo Mourning and coach, Eric Spoelstra.
“This year’s Call Of The Game Dinner and Celebrity Golf Classic brought together some of the region’s most legendary individuals from our sports community,” said Tony Fiorentino. “Each year we feel privileged to be able to not only honor those who have made a difference, but raise a substantial amount of money for two great causes.”
“This year’s Reid & Fiorentino Call Of The Game Dinner and Celebrity Golf Classic demonstrates the level of commitment from our community towards helping today’s youth,” said Eric Reid. “Our two-day fund raiser has also built a foundation for honoring local legends in sport and our philanthropic community heroes. We thank everyone involved in making this year’s events such a success.”
Lauren Book, founder of Lauren’s Kids Foundation comments: “This year’s Call Of The Game Dinner & Celebrity Golf Classic was a wonderful way to end our Winter fundraising season that began with our statewide walk from Key West to Tallahassee. Once again, we’ve received tremendous support from everyone involved with both events to raise an unprecedented amount of money for the families who are coping with the aftermath of sexual abuse and child exploitation. The heartfelt generosity of our community is very much appreciated and we thank everyone with helping make the event such a success.”
For further information on the Reid & Fiorentino Call of the Game Dinner & Celebrity Golf Classic, please visit www.reidandfiorentinoevents.
credit: Reid & Fiorentino Events