Boston Red Sox Celebrity Golf Classic events a Home Run for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida

The Boston Red Sox, who have held spring training in Fort Myers since 1993, helped to raise nearly $400,000 to benefit the new neurosurgery program at Golisano Children’s Hospital through the Boston Red Sox Celebrity Golf Classic event series. The annual event series includes a golf tournament and Boston “Tee” Party held at The Forest Country Club, and Dinner on the Diamond at JetBlue Park. Over 29 years, the event series has raised more than $14 million for Golisano Children’s Hospital programs.

“The Red Sox have consistently partnered with Golisano Children’s Hospital since the team first moved its spring training to Fort Myers, even through challenges caused by the pandemic and the player lockout,” said Chris Simoneau, Lee Health’s chief development, marketing and communication officer. “We are so grateful for this partnership, as well as the longstanding partnership with The Forest Country Club, the many event sponsors, and the generous donors who have made this event series a success year after year. They have made an incredible impact for the families of Southwest Florida.”
Preparations are already underway for the 30th Anniversary Red Sox Celebrity Golf Classic in spring 2023. Funds raised at the events will support neurosurgical services being developed at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The hospital plans to recruit world-class neurosurgeons to the region in collaboration with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital as well as equip a state-of-the-art pediatric neurosurgical suite.

While this year’s Dinner on the Diamond event was canceled due to the player lockout, supporters can still make a donation to the pediatric neurosurgery fund at Golisano Children’s Hospital at LeeHealthFoundation.org/RedSox. Thanks to a $1 million matching grant by The Wasie Foundation, these donations will have double the impact. Fans can also subscribe to receive event updates for the 30th Anniversary Boston Red Sox Celebrity Golf Classic event series.

About Golisano Children’s Hospital

Established in 1994, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida has been named a “Top Hospital” three consecutive years by The Leapfrog Group. It is the only recognized children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami. Lee Health opened the new 134-bed Golisano Children’s Hospital in May 2017, relocating the children’s hospital from the adjacent HealthPark Medical Center. It includes comprehensive pediatric services including a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematology-oncology unit, milk lab, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 70 private rooms. Golisano Children’s Hospital is proud to have been named Soliant’s 2018 Most Beautiful Hospital in the U.S., a recognition determined by popular vote. For more information, visit GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org.