MICHAEL PISTELLA Cape Coral’s Alec DiLallo lines up a putt during Wednesday’s first round of the 22nd Nolan Henke Patty Berg Junior Masters golftournament Wednesday at Cypress Lake Country Club. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

A golf tournament benefiting the local special needs community is set to tee off for the 14th consecutive year.

The Guardian Angels for Special Populations Golf Classic takes place Nov. 14 at Cape Royal Golf Club with proceeds going towards local children and adults with disabilities.

“It should be a great tournament,” said Ray Miller, vice president of Guardian Angels. “It’s a really nice event to support an organization that is well-needed.”

The Guardian Angels for Special Populations is a 100% volunteer organization run by Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department. Whether it’s a new wheelchair accessible vehicle or scholarships for participants to attend a program, classroom supplies or facility improvements, the organization benefits participants in so many ways. 

Since 1996, Special Populations has provided education, recreation and employment training opportunities for adults and children with physical and mental disabilities.

The tournament is title sponsored by Cape Coral #2424 Professional Firefighters, which has helped bring in other large donors over the past six years of their involvement.

Guardian Angels usually puts on two major fundraisers each year — the golf tournament and a fashion show. Due to COVID-19, the fashion show event was cancelled, resulting in an even greater need to raise funds through the tournament.

“The golf outing is really our only major fundraiser for 2020 and things are moving kind of slow,” Miller said. “We really need more golfers and sponsors.”

The golf classic hits the links at 8:30 a.m. with breakfast provided for participants beginning at 7:30. There will be a buffet luncheon at 12:30 p.m. following the event.

Registration is $130 per golfer (or $125 if you register by Oct. 23). Prizes, including cash prizes and a $10,000 hole in one are up for grabs.

Miller, whose daughter has been part of Special Populations for 15 years, said participating in the event is a way to help a growing need for a program of its ilk.

“Most people have been touched by someone who has a disability,” Miller said. “The real benefit is supporting those in need. And as the population of the area grows, so does the need for the program.”

Special Populations also staffs and operations Pops Café in Cape Coral City Hall, a unique cafeteria dishing out delicious breakfast and lunch specials that feature a variety of home-style soups, pastries, desserts and healthy salads prepared daily. Pops Café opened in June 2001 and is a popular eating establishment, including an underwater mural and outdoor courtyard. Pops Café is one of the many job and training opportunities that the city of Cape Coral affords the participants enrolled at Special Populations.

Registration or sponsorship inquiries for the golf classic can be done online at www.myspecialpops.org, or by calling 239-574-0574.

Cape Royal Golf Club is at 11460 Royal Tee Circle in Cape Coral.

— Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj