Event raised $20,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County in Seventh Year

Bradenton, FL, (November 4, 2024)– CoAdvantage, a leading provider of strategic human resource solutions for small to mid-sized companies and one of the nation’s largest privately held Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs), proudly hosted its 7th Annual Grip It-N-Rip It for Kids Golf Tournament on Friday, October 25th in Ocala, FL. With over 80 golfers and 15 volunteers in attendance, the event successfully raised $20,000 to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County, serving 1,100 children across three locations.

The annual tournament brings together community members, corporate sponsors, and golf enthusiasts to support a great cause. This year’s tournament was held at Club Adena, located at 950 NW 75th St, Ocala, FL, and was generously sponsored by CoAdvantage, Oxford Downs, Clifford Insurance Center, Nash Plumbing, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, and Admiral Furniture. Tony and Becky Mendola with Oxford Downs and Austin Rutledge with Clifford Insurance Center have been Albatross Sponsors for all seven years of the tournament, and their unwavering support has been instrumental in its success.

“CoAdvantage is proud to be the title sponsor of this tournament that not only brings together our community for a fun and engaging day and also inspires all of us to invest in the future of our youth,” said Gregg Martello, vice president of sales operations at CoAdvantage. Coincidentally, Mr. Martello was also this year’s winner of the 50/50 raffle and donated his winnings back to the tournament, following in the tradition of previous winners and adding to the collective generosity of all attendees and sponsors.

Bill Barnette, founder of the Grip It-N-Rip It for Kids Golf Tournament, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m honored that we’ve raised more than $175,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County, FL over the last seven years, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to helping enrich the lives of local youth. Without the continued support of our community, players, sponsors, and volunteers, this event wouldn’t be possible.”

Proceeds from this year’s event will continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of children in the community through the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County and its programs such as academic support, character and leadership development, health and wellness, arts, and sports and fitness. For more information about the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County, please visit their website at bgcofmarion.org.

The 8th Annual Grip It-N-Rip It for Kids tournament is already being planned for 2025. Contact Grip It-N-Rip It for Kids Golf Tournament for sponsorship opportunities, to volunteer, or participate in the tournament.

The Boys and Girls Club of Marion County is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing young people with a safe and positive environment where they can learn, grow, and develop into responsible and caring adults. The organization serves children and youth from ages 6 to 18 in Marion County, Florida and offers a variety of programs and services to help young people develop the skills, values, and confidence they need to succeed in life. The Boys and Girls Club of Marion County is funded by donations from individuals, businesses, and community organizations. The organization relies heavily on the support of volunteers who serve as mentors, tutors, and coaches for the young people in their programs.

CoAdvantage is a leading professional employer organization (PEO) that partners with small and mid-sized businesses nationwide to provide comprehensive HR solutions. By outsourcing key HR functions — such as payroll, benefits, risk management, and compliance — businesses can reduce administrative burden and focus on growth and profitability.

Media Contact

Mike Petchenik | 404.832.5143 | Liger Marketing |  mike.petchenik@ligerpartners.com