GFDD/Funglode: Driving, Chipping, and Putting for Sustainable Development in the Dominican Republic

Convened by the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development, GFDD/Funglode, more than one hundred golfers came together on a beautiful, sunny, and warm September day to take part in the organization’s 10th Golf Tournament. This year, players returned to the peace and elegance of the Devereaux Emmet designed Glen Head Country Club, one of the finest golf clubs in New York.

The objective of the tournament was to increase financial support for various initiatives currently implemented by GFDD/Funglode in the Dominican Republic and the United States. These initiatives are designed to contribute to sustainable social, democratic, economic and cultural development and the improvement of lives in the Dominican Republic and throughout the Western
Hemisphere.

The tournament began at 12:30 p.m. with welcoming remarks from Yamile Eusebio, GFDD’s Acting Co-Executive Director who welcomed all the players and thanked them for their continued support. Eusebio also introduced Rudy Fuertes, Head of the GFDD Golf Tournament Organizing Committee along with committee members Julio Coen and Jose Sánchez. Fuertes began by thanking the sponsors for contributing to this worthy cause every year and then took the
opportunity to introduce Juan Marichal, 1983 inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame and loyal supporter of the Foundation. As is tradition, Marichal kicked off the tournament by being the first of the day to tee off.

After 18 holes of golf, the players cooled off during a cocktail hour. Shortly thereafter, the awards ceremony
was ready to get underway. It started with the presentation of GFDD’s institutional video and was hosted by Yamile Eusebio and Marc Jourdan, GFDD’s UN Programs & Outreach Manager. Eusebio and Jourdan began by thanking everyone for their attendance and acknowledging the presence of Dr. Leonel Fernández, President of GFDD/Funglode and former President of the Dominican Republic, as well as Juan Marichal and Rudy Fuertes. They also thanked the tournament’s
organizing committee and staff members for their tireless efforts. The remarks were followed by a lively video showing the highlights of the day.

Rudy Fuertes then took the stage to thank everyone once again for their support. He also spoke of current growth seen in the film industry in the Dominican Republic and of recycling initiatives being developed thanks to the efforts of GFDD. Fuertes encouraged people to attend GFDD’s events and take to advantage of all
the information being offered by the organization.

Eusebio and Jourdan then proceeded to announce the winners of the tournament together with Julio Coen and Jose Sánchez. The ceremony concluded with words of thanks and farewell from Eusebio, who invited everyone to enjoy the rest of the night’s sumptuous banquet and to continue supporting GFDD/Funglode’s mission at upcoming events. Throughout the dinner the foundation also held a raffle of 5 Plasma TVs
which added even more excitement to the event.

10th GFDD GOLF CLASSIC 2017 WINNERS
1st LOW GROSS
Jose Sánchez	67
Dorian Vargas	18
1st LOW NET
Andres Geraldo	67
Eliardo Benoit	18, 1, 2, 3
2nd LOW NET
Raymond Boriello	67
Semil Desai
3rd LOW NET
Alex Rodríguez	67
Ricardo Bonnet
4th LOW NET
Benny Rodríguez	67
Germay Medina
5th LOW NET
Danny Fernández	69
Pablo Gomez
Closest to pin #4: Rafael Díaz	10’9”
Closest to pin #7: Fidel Perez	3”
Closest to pin #12: Ricardo Romanoff	2’3”
Closest to pin #16: Rafy Veras	3’5”
Long drive #18: Danny Fernández	Super Long

About Golf Tournaments
GFDD golf tournaments are attended by leading figures from the philanthropic field, prominent sports figures, and others who throughout the years have supported GFDD’s
programs. They are an opportunity to share time with partners and friends as well as to engage supporters, build community relations, and promote fundraising efforts.