March of Dimes
20 Chapin Road
P.O. Box 642
Pine Brook, NJ 07058
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Media Contact: Caryl Bixon-Gordon / (201) 796-7788 / @carylcomm
Pynes Golf Putting Challenge Now In Its 5th Year for March of Dimes 2015 Real Estate Awards
Golf Event Has Raised More Than $105,000 for the March of Dimes Charity
FAR HIILLS, N.J., Apr. 27, 2015 – The March of Dimes New Jersey Chapter will honor Ed Russo, chief executive officer of Russo Development, at the organization’s 2015 Real Estate Award Reception, being held this year at the United States Golf Association (USGA) headquarters in Far Hills, N.J. on June 11 from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m.
A highlight of this year’s event, as it has been for the last five years, is the Pynes Putting Challenge, where sponsored teams compete for the championship and prizes at a 16,000-square-foot nine-hole putting green located behind the USGA Museum. (Prior to the event, 36 teams compete in a preliminary round, and six winners go on to play in the championship.) Since its inception the golf event has helped to raise more than $105,000.
According to Erik Sletteland, Pynes Putting Challenge chair, “The idea to incorporate the golf aspect of this wonderful charity event came to me five years ago, when renovation and expansion of the USGA Museum was underway. In addition to adding a nine-hole putting course, the USGA Museum established the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History. Mr. Palmer has had a long-standing relationship with the March of Dimes, and so the idea to link the two together became obvious.
For years, the March of Dimes Real Estate fundraiser was a breakfast, but we changed it to a cocktail party at the USGA, and added the golf challenge as an adjunct to the real estate event, with the consent of Rand Jerris, the museum director at the time,” adds Sletteland, an executive at StructureTone, a construction management and contracting firm based in New Jersey.
“We have enjoyed the opportunity of being the location for this annual March of Dimes event for the past 5 years,” says Kim Gianetti, manager of marketing and outreach for the USGA Museum. “As a museum, the privilege of sharing our treasures with large groups like this has been positive and impactful and we look forward to future events with the March of Dimes.”
Winners of the Pynes Putting Challenge receive a proclamation commemorating their victory signed by Arnold Palmer; two tickets to the 2016 U.S. Open and lodging (Wyndham Worldwide has provided lodging for the Open in past years). The winners also get their names inscribed on the Pynes Cup trophy,sponsored by StructureTone and regarded as the “Stanley Cup” of New Jersey real estate.
Prior to the evening’s events, there will be an opportunity to view the USGA Museum’s many exhibits including the new Jack Nicklaus wing, a dinner and short program will follow.
According to March of Dimes Real Estate Award honoree Jack Russo, “The March of Dimes is an important organization that helps to create a world of stronger, healthier babies, which is so important to me on a personal level. I am grateful for their 75 years of research, education and tireless advocacy efforts, and am honored to be recognized by this tremendous organization.”
Mr. Russo has been CEO of Russo Development – a premier developer of commercial, residential and mission critical real estate in New Jersey – since 2001. In that time, he has transformed the business his father founded in 1969 into one of the most active real estate development firms in New Jersey.
Sponsorships Available
Sponsorship opportunities are available at several levels and each carries a number of unique benefits. For further information on sponsorship packages, the Pynes Putting Challenge or reservations to the reception, contact Carol Roberts at (973) 296-8808 or via e-mail at croberts@marchofdimes.org. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.marchofdimes.org/newjersey/.
The March of Dimes is a leading nonprofit organization providing funding to promote pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by sponsoring projects to help prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For more information visit www.marchofdimes.org or www.nacersano.org
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Pynes Putting Challenge Photo Caption:
The United States Golf Association will play host to the 2015 March of Dimes New Jersey Real Estate Award Reception. A highlight of this year’s event is the Pynes Putting Challenge, where winners will play on the nine-hole championship course pictured. The course is located behind the USGA Museum. Prior to the evening’s events, guests will have an opportunity to view the USGA Museum’s many exhibits including the new Jack Nicklaus wing, and the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf history. Mr. Palmer has been a long-standing supporter of the March of Dimes. Since its inception the golf event has helped to raise more than $105,000 for the March of Dimes.