By Kirsten Turner
Thomas ‘Flash’ Gordon Celebrity Golf Tournament Drives A Hole-In-One
Community members came together to golf alongside sports legends all in support of the construction of the AdventHealth Sebring Wellness Center. The AdventHealth Sebring Foundation hosted its inaugural Celebrity Golf Tournament alongside Wellness Campaign Chair and Foundation Board Member Thomas ‘Flash’ Gordon on Friday, November 5th, at Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club.
The tournament raised more than $80,000 and all proceeds will benefit the construction and implementation of a new AdventHealth Sebring Wellness Center – a 21,000 sq. ft. facility to be located on the grounds of the AdventHealth Sebring hospital campus.
“At AdventHealth, we care for our community members when they are sick, but we also want to keep them well,” said Christen Johnson, AdventHealth Sebring Foundation Executive Director. “The new wellness center will be more than a gym. It’ll be welcomed community staple that will provide everything from fitness classes and cooking demonstrations to educational facilities, an edible garden, and health specialists.”
The inaugural event was presented by All About Lawns Inc. and Bill Jarrett Ford Avon Park and hosted more than 30 current and retired MLB and NFL players, community members, and AdventHealth corporate partners.
“It’s a great honor that my friends and former teammates chose to come to my hometown for such a great cause,” Mr. Gordon said. “I’m humbled to work alongside the AdventHealth Sebring Foundation as chair of the Wellness Center Campaign, which will change the lives of children, their parents, grandparents and friends through physical, mental and spiritual care. I am thankful to everyone who attended the event to help make the wellness center a reality. I encourage baseball fans, golfers, and anyone else who wants to take part in one of Highlands County’s best tournaments, to contact the Foundation and register for next year’s event!”
Although rain attempted to dampen the event, golfers were able to play five and seven holes before making their way back to the clubhouse for the event program. Guests experienced a one-of-a- kind afternoon as Mr. Gordon, Mariano Rivera, Tim Wakefield, Bo Jackson and Charlie “Chuck” Manuel hosted an interactive Q-and-A session, offering health and wellness advice, and sharing dugout stories from their MLB careers.
Other celebrity guest players in attendance included Jim Rice, Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd, Carl Everett, Fred McGriff, Gary Sheffield, Michael Tucker, Rick Cerone, Nick Gordon, Juan Hillman, Reggie Jefferson, Charles Johnson, Nick Longhi, Alan Mills, Brett Myers, Desi Relaford, Dee Strange-Gordon, Jeremy Trueblood, Joe Castiglione, Joe Logan, Tommy Longhi, Triston McKenzie, Armondo Rios, Clyde Pough, Anthony Gordon, and Luis Tiant.
The 2022 Celebrity Golf Tournament is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 4th, at Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club. For more information about the event, including 2022 registration, or to learn more about the AdventHealth Sebring Wellness Center, please contact the Foundation office at 863-402-5525 or visit AdventHealthSebringFoundation.com.
