Dust off the clubs because it’s that time of year! Our annual day of teeing off and saving lives is set for October 7 with the 2024 edition of the Drive to Save Lives Golf Tournament at the Carrollwood Country Club.
This year, we are celebrating 40 years of ForHearts providing implantable cardiac devices ForHearts in need around the world. We can’t wait to come together with you, our ForHearts community, for a day of friendly competition, prizes, food and drink all in support of our life-saving mission!
Putting the “Fun” in Raising Funds
Some of our favorite on-course experiences are back this year, including the putting contest and air launcher contest—launch your ball with a golf cannon and land it the closest to the pin for the win! We’ll also have our traditional “Closest to The Pin” and “Longest Drive” contests.
Player packs are available for $50 each and include automatic entry to all contests (excluding the air launcher at an additional fee). Each pack also comes with two “mulligan” passes and 25 raffle tickets. To be sure you look the part as you take to the greens, your player pack also includes credit at the player store, where you can choose your gift—from golf shoes, shirts, balls, towels, and more.
The store opens at registration (9:00 a.m. sharp!), and of course, we couldn’t start the day without our Bloody Mary bar provided by Tito’s to get everyone off on a fun start.
Your day on the green will be followed by our short program and awards ceremony where we’ll be recognizing our first- and second-place finishers, as well as the team that brings up the rear in last place, with our Drive to Save Lives Golf Tournament Trophies. But the on-course tournament and contests aren’t the only ways to win prizes! We’ll be raffling off some unique prizes, including collector bottles of wine, merchandise, gift cards, and even experiences from some of the leading merchants and brands in the Tampa Bay area. The program ends with a champagne toast celebrating ForHearts 40th anniversary.
Get Ready to be Inspired
Mrs. Florida American Jana Bonassi will be joining us as a special guest at this year’s Drive to Save Lives Golf Tournament! A passionate advocate for CPR and AED awareness, Jana is also an ambassador for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. She’ll be sharing her incredible story of survival and representing the power of CPR, proving that life with a pacemaker is full of possibilities.
Drive to Save Lives is more than just a golf tournament; it’s a chance to make a real difference in the lives of those with cardiovascular conditions. With Jana’s inspiring presence, this year’s event is shaping up to be truly unforgettable!
Here’s your full Drive to Save Lives schedule for October 7:
Registration, Breakfast and Bloody Mary Bar – 8:30 a.m.
Shotgun Start with Scramble Format – 10:00 a.m.
Boxed Lunch on the Course – 12:00 p.m.
Buffet-Style Dinner – 3:00 p.m.
Program and Awards – 3:30 p.m.
Support That Saves Lives
For the second year, the Drive to Save Lives is hosted by the Michael T. Berger Charitable Fund. In 2023, ForHearts embarked on a new partnership with the Michael T. Berger Charitable Fund thanks to David Katcher, a ForHearts Director and trustee and personal representative of Mr. Berger, who was a marketing executive with Pepsi Cola for over 20 years. Berger passed away in 2017, “but his legacy continues to assist many charitable causes through his Charitable Fund,” says Katcher.
The 2023 Drive to Save Lives raised over $36,000, with 64 players taking part. This year we’ve set a goal to have 100 players and raise $40,000 to match the amount being donated by the Michael T. Berger Charitable Fund. And we have multiple ways you can contribute to the cause!
The Drive to Save Lives could not be possible without the tireless work of our volunteers and the generous support of our sponsors—and we’re always looking for more of both! Our event sponsorship tiers range from $250 to $20,000 and include on-course advertising and promotion of your company. Plus, partnering with ForHearts as a corporate sponsor is a great way to bring your company together and showcase your community involvement. Or, you can roll up your sleeves as a volunteer, supporting and engaging with tournament attendees and ensuring a great day of golf.
You can participate in the 2024 Drive to Save Lives as a player, sponsor, or volunteer! Register as a single player at $250 a golfer. Gather your friends or coworkers for a foursome at $1000 a foursome. Support the tournament as a volunteer or through our sponsorship tiers.
Click here for all the details and to register for the 2024 Drive to Save Lives.
We’ll see you on October 7 at Carrollwood Country Club!