The Bobby Nichols - Fiddlesticks Charity Foundation wrapped up its 20th annual Pro-Am golf and tennis tournaments, and auction gala at Fiddlesticks Country Club on Monday, Feb. 21, raising a record $1.7 million in net revenue and counting, bringing the 20-year total to more than $15 million in donations to serve abused and at-risk children in Southwest Florida.

The Foundation’s two primary charity partners are the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida and Abuse Counseling & Treatment. Additional beneficiaries include Blessings in a Backpack and Liberty Youth Ranch.

Close to 500 people attended the Saturday night fundraising gala, virtually or in person, bidding on silent and live auction items. Top-selling auction items included a one-of-a-kind pendant with diamonds, tanzanite and brick from the Coliseum in Rome, donated by Mark Loren Designs; a sunset dinner cruise for 20 guests aboard the 144-foot “Driller II” yacht, courtesy of Tim and Sandy Youngquist; precision instruments for timekeeping from Ernst Benz; hand-crafted, luxury-quality, iconic handbags from BSWANKY; and a Masters golf package.  Additionally, there was a direct plea for donations from baseball legend Johnny Bench, who emceed the event along with auctioneer Scott Robertson.

About the Bobby Nichols - Fiddlesticks Charity Foundation

The Bobby Nichols - Fiddlesticks Charity Foundation was founded in 2002 by a group of Fiddlesticks members, known as Pipers, who volunteer to organize and run the annual Nichols Cup Pro-Am Golf & Tennis Tournaments. The annual tournament recognizes the contributions and accomplishments of golfer Bobby Nichols, a longtime resident of Fiddlesticks and winner of 14 PGA Tour tournaments including the 1964 PGA Championship and 1974 Canadian Open. Since the formation of the Bobby Nichols - Fiddlesticks Charity Foundation 20 years ago, more than $15 million has been donated to local children’s charities. To learn more, visit NicholsCup.org or call 239-633-4579.

Information provided by Priority Marketing. Holly Boldrin, APR, CPRC, Priority Marketing, [email protected], 239-267-2638 or 239-887-9335 (cell)