Greenwich golfers help raise $200K to support Maritime Aquarium
GREENWICH — Golfers, including some from Greenwich, helped to raise nearly $200,000 — an event record — to support The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk during the recent 11th annual Golf Classic. The funds will be used to support the aquarium’s exhibits, conservation initiatives and environmental education efforts.
“The 84 golfers who teed up with us made this year’s Golf Classic the most successful outing yet, and we are so grateful to them for their generosity and spirited involvement,” said Danielle Tranzillo, the aquarium’s vice president of philanthropy and engagement. “And we also thank the Wee Burn Country Club for again hosting us on their beautiful course and in their fabulous facilities.”
Fairfield County Bank was the presenting sponsor of the Golf Classic, with co-presenting sponsors New Canaan Funding and Spinnaker Real Estate Partners. Champion sponsor was M&T Bank.
The event, held on May 23, included a barbecue lunch to start the day, followed by 18 holes of golf, live music by members of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, visits by animal husbandry staff with aquarium ambassador animals and a sunset dinner.
Event co-chairman Clay Fowler of Pound Ridge, N.Y., teamed with Bill Finger of Greenwich, John Distler of Redding and Jerry Effren of Norwalk for a foursome for the Golf Classic. Fowler is chair of the aquarium’s Board of Trustees and his Spinnaker Real Estate Partners was a co-presenting sponsor.
The event’s other co-chairman was Earl Mix of Darien, a managing member at New Canaan Funding, which was also a co-presenting sponsor of the event.
Randy Simpson, Brooke Morell, Michael Chambers, Michael and Ryan Jedlicka, all of Greenwich, were also among the 84 area professionals who took part in the golf fundraiser.
Funds from the event, in-hand and pledged, will help support The Maritime Aquarium’s animal care, educational programming and conservation work on behalf of Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond.
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, The mission of the nonprofit is to inspire people of all ages to appreciate and protect the Long Island Sound ecosystem and the global environment through living exhibits, marine science and environmental education. To learn more or to visit the aquarium, go to www. maritimeaquarium.org.