Long Island Golf Meet Raises Record Total for PD Research

On August 13, under a brilliant hot sun that was in diametric contrast with the downpour that cancelled the original venue in May, more than 100 golfers braved the lovely and challenging Deepdale country club on Long Island and raised some $580,000 for research into the cause and cure of Parkinson’s disease.

The event—believed to be the most successful fundraiser of its kind ever undertaken for PD—was led by Bobby Greenberg and Steve Witkoff, two businessmen from Long Island who served as co-chairs of the event. The honoree was Melvyn Weiss, a well known trial lawyer. Behind all three men was the inspiration provided by their friend Ed Levy, a leader in the financial services industry who has lived with Parkinson’s for several years.

L-R: Ed Kalikow, Treasurer of PDF; Robin Elliott, PDF’s executive director; Bob Greenberg, event co-chair; and Vincent Tese, designated honoree for the 2003 event

Most of the net proceeds from the event—some $440,000 after expenses—went to support the research and advocacy activities of the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, the National Parkinson Foundation, the Edwin Levy Foundation, and Beth Israel Medical Center. The balance went to support the work of the Parkinson’s Action Network and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

The dynamic trio — Greenberg, Witkoff, and Levy — have already scheduled the date for next year’s event: Monday, September 15, 2003, at Deepdale. Registration fees start at $2,000 and the honoree will be Vincent Tese, former superintendent of banking for the State of New York.