Windermere Prep Volunteer Association to tee off with first golf tourney

By Steven Ryzewski
| 8:52 a.m. September 24, 2015

Southwest Orange
Neighborhood

WINDERMERE — When the Windermere Preparatory Volunteer Association got together to plan its annual fundraiser, its board of directors decided it wanted to do something different.

Previously, the WPVA had put on successful galas and other similar events, but this time, the group, which consists primarily of mothers of students at the school, opted for a golf tournament. With the “Tee Up” the New School Year Golf Tournament Oct. 5, the group hopes to raise funds for the WPVA in a new way and serve as an event that could attract more individuals and businesses not already associated with the school.

“It (choosing to do the golf tournament) was a way to be outside of the box,” said Jacqueline Cumberbatch, the president of the WPVA. “We decided, ‘Let’s do something different, and let’s reach out to the public so they can see what Windermere Prep has to offer.’”

The event, which takes place at the Tranquilo Golf Club at Four Seasons Resort in Lake Buena Vista, will feature a shotgun start at 8 a.m. and lunch at the Four Seasons. Lunch will include a silent auction and other events.

Gayle Guzzardo, the WPVA’s secretary, said the board is excited about the course it selected for the event.

“We think that playing at Tranquilo would be a pretty big draw as maybe some golfers have not been able to play that course yet,” Guzzardo said.

The silent auction will feature several impressive prizes, such as a one-night stay at the Four Seasons Resort and a Seasons 52 cocktail party for 10. The golfing activities also will include a longest-drive contest.

As has been the case with previous fundraisers organized by the WPVA, proceeds are directed toward enriching and supplementing the experience of the school’s students. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the WPVA performs a variety of functions including organizing workshops and career days; scheduling authors, poets and other guests to visit the campus; helping to finance the school’s fine arts programs; and putting together events such as father/daughter dances and welcome-back breakfasts and barbecues.

The WPVA also serves the important function of helping parents of students get to play an increased role in their education.

Organizers with the WPVA hope the event attracts golfers and non-golfers alike and grows the Windermere Prep brand in the local community.

“Just come out and join us — you don’t have to be part of the Windermere Prep community,” Guzzardo said. “We want to reach the outside community so they can come and join us and talk to us … it’s for the kids.”

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