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Golf Tournament, Motorcycle Run Celebrate GKTW’s 25th Anniversary with $70,850

By Amanda Charney and Jeremy Schoolfield

The annual IAAPA International Charity Golf Tournament always provides an unofficial “kickoff” to IAAPA Attractions Expo, but this year’s event held special significance as it honored Give Kids The World’s (GKTW) 25th anniversary.

The tournament along with the second annual IAAPA Motorcycle Run raised a combined $70,850 Sunday at Hawk’s Landing Golf Club at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort. It was yet another sellout day for the tournament with 124 players, bringing together industry leaders from around the world for an early-morning shotgun start. The Motorcycle Run, meanwhile, nearly tripled its participation in just its second year with 29 riders and bringing in $7,800, proving yet again that when GKTW puts out the call, the attractions industry responds.

The winning foursome was played by Tom Burnet of Lo-Q, Will Morey of Morey’s Piers, Chris Perry of Wild Wadi Water Park, De Wit Leander of Wild Wadi Water Park.

“It’s so exciting how IAAPA members come down a day early to play in this wonderful tournament, and now our new motorcycle event that raise money for the great work Give Kids The World does,” said 2011 IAAPA Chairman Bob Rippy. “It’s the charity that really reflects what our business is about: the joy and happiness of children.”

As the Village rings in 25 years, participants looked back at the enduring program, charity events, and partnership between IAAPA and GKTW.

“You have to give the people who started Give Kids The World 25 years ago an unbelievable amount of credit for their foresight,” said IAAPA President and CEO Chip Cleary. “The wonderful partnership that’s developed between IAAPA and Give Kids The World has only amplified our love for the Village. To know that we’re able to make a difference through the golf tournament and the motorcycle run is more than heartwarming.”

“It’s a good signal for what we’ve always espoused at IAAPA: Give kids fun, give them help and support in whatever they need,” said IAAPA Third Vice Chairman Mario Mamon. “Nothing ever starts easy, but in 25 years Give Kids The World has grown from something that started small here in Florida into something that’s now global.”

“It’s an unbelievable concept, and the fact it’s not just survived but thrived is a really blessing for our industry,” said IAAPA Second Vice Chairman Will Morey.

Many participants have hit the links in support of GKTW since the beginning, including Liseberg Park in Sweden. “It’s an old tradition for Liseberg—we’ve been out here since the very beginning,” said Pelle Johannison. “Their development is very impressive; I remember when it was really a small organization. It gives us a lot of inspiration and everyone out here feels it’s a really good cause.”

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s relationship with GKTW goes back more than two decades, and the company demonstrated its commitment to the charity Sunday with two foursomes out on the course.
“It’s a wonderful cause and we’re going to support it every year,” said Dan Brown, COO of the three SeaWorld parks in North America. We just want to congratulate them for all they’ve done.”