by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“He played the most rounds of anyone at Deerwood and chaired the TPC so a golf tournament is a fitting honor,” said Fiorentino Group President Marty Fiorentino at the unveiling of the inaugural “Don Davis Memorial Classic.”
Davis, a former vice president of Gate Petroleum, City Council president and State Representative was an avid golfer. He was also instrumental in Jacksonville landing an NFL franchise and the development of a state program to provide incentives to television and motion picture companies to bring their productions to Florida.
Fiorentino is chairman of the event that will benefit the Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, which cared for Davis and his family prior to his death in April, 2008.
The organization operates four inpatient facilities and also provides care in homes, hospitals and assisted living facilities. It serves Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties and serves 900 patients and their families each day.
“It is an honor to have Don’s name associated with a tournament to benefit the foundation,” said Community Hospice President and CEO Susan Ponder-Stansel.
Since its founding in 1978 Community Hospice has cared for 55,000 patients and has touched the lives of 250,000 of their friends and family members. Ponder-Stansel also said, “Don blessed us while he was alive” and the proceeds from the tournament will help underwrite approximately $1.8 million in unfunded care Community Hospice provides each year.
“The fact there will be a golf tournament honoring Don Davis and benefiting Community Hospice is certainly fitting. It’s an investment in a very important organization,” said Mayor John Peyton.
The announcement was also an opportunity to recall fond memories of Davis, particularly on the golf course. Fiorentino said he had the pleasure of playing 18 holes with Davis at Augusta National, home of The Masters.
“He was competitive in any sport that involved a ball,” recalled Fiorentino. “I remember when he got upset he’d say ‘balls.’ That was his bad word.”
The Don Davis Memorial Classic will be played Nov. 16 at Deerwood Golf and Country Club. A live and silent auction and reception will follow. Volunteer opportunities are available on planning committees, setup and day of event support. For more information call Fiorentino at 358-2757 or Community Hospice at 407-6139.
356-2466