Golf for CF

2020 Golf for CF

Closing the Gap hosts 'Golf for CF' 2020

Closing the Gap Foundation hosted their annual ‘Golf for CF’ event providing aid in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) alleviation and a continued impact on the community. This event was hosted on Friday, October 9th, at 12:45 p.m. at the Scituate Country Club in Scituate, MA. Tickets were available for purchase through their website. Due to the impact of Covid-19, Closing the Gap was unable to follow the event with a reception dinner and auction.

Co-founder Jake Reynolds described that the majority of the attendees are personal connections. “Although we would put out a little bit on social media, it was mainly through word of mouth and direct connections,” said Reynolds. Closing the Gap promoted the event primarily through Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn during the planning stage. This event was promoted through their social media pages in prior years “but not effectively or largely until 2020,” said Reynolds.

Only recently has Closing the Gap become an official 501(c)3 non-profit. With this new title, they are able to spread awareness on a more significant level. A major source of funding for past events was sponsorship. Because of the pandemic, this was difficult this year but Reynolds still touched on the subject. “In the past, we have had sponsors from Promedxx, The M1 Project, Welby Builders, and Consigli Construction. With the new 501(c)3 designation we hope to move onto larger corporate sponsors.”

Although the pandemic had a negative impact on the event this year, Closing the Gap was still able to raise a substantial amount of money for those affected with Cystic Fibrosis. “We were unable to have a dinner or auction which resulted in an anticipated revenue decrease of about 40%, which was actually better than what we expected,” said Reynolds. The foundation was still able to raise “roughly $14,000 and when we had the dinner in past years we were closer to $20,000,” stated Reynolds. Since 2016, the foundation has been able to raise more than $75,000 for Cystic Fibrosis through the golf event.

The event brought people together to support an exceptional cause and enjoy a passionate hobby. Many participants have attended ‘Golf for CF’ in the past and are familiar with the foundation. ‘Golf for CF’ attendee Jim Murphy talked about his personal connection with the foundation and what this event meant to him. “We know these advancements are made possible through the hard work of truly dedicated people and countless grassroots fundraising events like Golf for CF. This Foundation, and in particular this event, gives us a chance to play our part in that fight,” stated Murphy. When asked the same question, attendee Matthew Murray shared “It is just a fantastic organization. It gives so many people resources to combat their disease and better their life. It is so important to think holistically about ways people with CF can improve and prolong their life.”

Closing the Gap Foundation intends to continue to host their successful golf event in the future and will also be launching new events in 2021. “We plan to do a larger event that is open to more people such as a gala, which will allow us to increase our reach in the same area even more,” said Co-founder Jake Reynolds. The foundation is also hoping to expand their events past New England and move onto bigger opportunities, “We are open to moving into other areas where our board members are, such as North Carolina and Pennsylvania, but don’t aim to do another golf tournament necessarily unless it is a unique opportunity,” said Reynolds. Participants stressed the same excitement for future events and looked back on their experience. “Having the ability to spend a Friday afternoon on a great golf course, with great people supporting a great cause! An amazing golf tournament, will be back next year!” said attendee Tom Wilson

To follow and stay updated with Closing the Gap Foundation, visit their social media pages and consider donating to help those impacted with Cystic Fibrosis.