The following letter was posted and printed in the Naples Daily News on April 16, 2009:  

Letter of the Day: Over time

Editor, Daily News:

In 1992 the members of Royal Palm Country Club, wishing to contribute to the well-being of the community, decided to hold a fundraising golf tournament with proceeds benefiting Hospice of Naples, now known as Avow Hospice. April 3 marked the 18th annual ProAm.

This year the members of Royal Palm and associated community businesses raised another $60,000 to benefit Avow Hospice. This brought the total donated to Avow from the 18 years of holding this event to $700,000. Forty-two area professionals teamed with three amateur partners to compete in the event.

I wish to thank the very generous members of Royal Palm and the professional golfers for their participation, and the many local businesses which donated to make this event such a tremendous success. Fifty-two local restaurants donated gift certificates and other business were hole sponsors and donated many items for the drawing and silent auction which was held the following evening at Royal Palm. The silent auction, drawing and raffle raised $15,000 of the $60,000 total.

Thanks also to the volunteers who helped coordinate and run the event over a two-day period. In this time of such an economic downturn, we are all extremely proud of what Royal Palm did to assist Avow Hospice, particularly this year.

Don Harlow
Naples Chairman