Jericho School HUGs Autism at Hidden Hills Golf Tournament

With Angelo Martinez, Russ Libby and Jarrad Kogos at Hidden Hills CC.

With Angelo Martinez, Russ Libby and Jarrad Kogos at Hidden Hills CC.

What to do on PLAYERS Monday with no public practice round at TPC Sawgrass? I headed over to Jacksonville’s Hidden Hills Country Club, a secluded Arnold Palmer Signature Course, and played in the HUG/Jericho School Charity Golf Golf Classic presented by Delegal Law Offices. In 1995 a group of concerned parents and business leaders found the need to establish a new school for children with autism in Jacksonville Florida.  The Jericho School was created to make available the best practices in early childhood development and education to families who have children with developmental disabilities.  The Jericho School has become a model program and a leader in the treatment of children with autism and the application of Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior. HUG (Help Us Golf) is Jarrad Kogos’ charity to help kids with autism come to the game of golf for fun, for exercise and for some to become quite proficient at the game we all love. Jarrad teams up with the H.E.A.L. Foundation to host a summer camp at TPC Sawgrass. If you don’t know Jarrad, click here to get a chance to meet him.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Jarrad Kogos and Alena Gilley.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Jarrad Kogos and Alena Gilley.

The staff at Hidden Hills CC put on a wonderful event. Owner/Manager Russ Libby, who was on site to greet the participants, is a candidate for PGA of America Secretary 2014. This position is in succession to the become the president of the PGA of America, an organization of 27,000 PGA Professionals with a worldwide impact on the business and the game of golf. Angelo Martinez, Executive Director of the Jericho School and Mike Barile, Chairman of the Board of Directors, along with Jarrad hosted the golfers on a picture perfect day weather and all ways. T.A. “Tad” Delegal, III of Title Sponsor Delegal Law Offices was on hand to manage his winning foursome who shot 60 and won the “Margarita Mixer” Bucket in celebration of “Cinco de Mayo.” The Murray Brothers Foundation supported the tournament with several Caddyshack and Monument Men items that were raffled off in a silent auction. Alena Gilley was on hand as a volunteer and promoting her Paradise Grooming for Men  Salon & Spa.

All is all a great experience for worthwhile charities. Make note to self… play HUG/Jericho School Charity Golf Golf Classic next year!