NEW YORK—The Broadcasters Foundation of America has announced that The 2023 Celebrity Golf Tournament, its second largest annual fundraiser, will be on Monday, September 11 at the Greenwich Country Club in Greenwich, Conn.

Frank Comerford, chief revenue officer and president of local sales, NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships, will serve as this year’s chair.

“The Broadcasters Foundation is the only charity devoted exclusively to providing aid to our colleagues in broadcasting who are in dire need,” said Comerford. “For me, chairing the Celebrity Golf Tournament is an opportunity to give back.” 

“We’re grateful that Frank is donating his time and leadership to this year’s Celebrity Golf Tournament,” stated Tim McCarthy, president of the Broadcasters Foundation. “The Celebrity Golf Tournament brings in a significant amount of the much-needed dollars we need to continue to help our colleagues who have fallen on tragic circumstances and need our help.”

Comerford has worked in the television industry for more than 40 years, including over 30 years with NBCUniversal. In his current role, which he’s held since 2013, Comerford oversees all commercial efforts for 43 NBC and Telemundo television stations and associated websites and digital platforms, six regional sports networks, NECN regional news network, multicast networks COZI TV and TeleXitos, NBCLX and NBC Spot On. He is active in the community and serves on many charitable boards, including the Archdiocese of New York Catholic Charity, Xavier High School, and the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.

Over its more than 70 years of existence, the Broadcasters Foundation has distributed millions of dollars in aid to broadcasters who have lost their livelihood through a catastrophic event, debilitating disease, or unforeseen tragedy.

Personal donations can be made to the Foundation’s Guardian Fund. Corporate contributions are accepted through the Angel Initiative, and bequests can be made through the Foundation’s Legacy Society. For more information, please visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, call 212-373-8250, or email info@thebfoa.org.

NEW YORK—The Broadcasters Foundation of America’s Celebrity Golf Tournament won’t be teeing it up this year because of the ongoing safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This is the second golf tournament fundraiser that BFA has cancelled this year, following the Philip J. Lombardo Golf Tournament that traditionally takes place during the NAB Show in Las Vegas; the in-person NAB convention was cancelled in April because of the pandemic. The two annual fundraisers, along with smaller events, generate more than $450,000 a year, according to BFA.

In an effort to counter the losses of these events, BFA is launching a plea for donations.

“I ask everyone whose career is built on broadcasting to consider donating to help offset the losses of our cancelled fundraising events,” said Jim Thompson, president of the BFA.

“Our colleagues who find themselves in acute need due to a debilitating illness or accident need our help,” said Scott Herman, Broadcast Foundation chair. “This year, we are helping more broadcasters than ever before, and it’s imperative that we continue to do so. We cannot turn our backs on our colleagues.”

For more information, or to make a donation, visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org.  

NEW YORK—The score under par wasn’t the important number at the recent Broadcasters Foundation of America’s annual Celebrity Golf Tournament, as the organization announced it raised $250,000 to help broadcasters in need. The funds come in handy particularly after many broadcasters have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma in recent weeks.

BFA has already provided $50,000 in emergency aid to 50 broadcasters affected by Hurricane Harvey. Another $100,000 in emergency grants is expected to be provided in response to the damage done by Hurricane Irma. Jim Thompson, president of BFA, estimates that the organization will distribute more than $1 million in monthly and emergency grants over the next 12 months.

Some of the celebrities in attendance at this year’s golf tournament, which was held at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., were Bruce Beck, WNBC-TV; Tina Cervasio, CBS Sports; Rachel Grant, actress and philanthropist; Jay Harris, ESPN; Otis Livingston, WCBS-TV; Karl Nelson, New York Giants; Lee Saltz, New England Patriots; Bill Smitrovich, actor; John Starks, New York Knicks; and Bob Wischusen, voice of the New York Jets.

Sponsors of the event included Evercore Wealth Management, ABC Channel 7, CBS Television, CBS Radio, NBC-Owned TV stations and Telemundo Station Group, Eileen & Jack Connors, Jr., ESPN Radio, Empire Merchants, Flexjet, Norman Knight Charitable Foundation, Marketron, Nielsen, Putnam Investments and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

NEW YORK—More than a 150 people teed it up recently to take part in the Broadcasters Foundation of America’s 2016 Celebrity Golf Fundraiser, which was held at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J. The annual event is designed to raise money for broadcasters in need of monthly and emergency financial assistance, which this year meant many who were affected by Hurricane Matthew. A reported $200,000 was raised during the event.

“We are pacing to distribute $850,000 in monthly and emergency grants this year,” said Jim Thompson, president of the Broadcasters Foundation. “We are very grateful to our sponsors and to those who gave their time to make this year’s Celebrity Golf Fundraiser a success.”

Some of the celebrity golfers that took part in the tournament included Bruce Beck, WNBC-TV; Rachel Grant, actress and philanthropist; Jay Harris, ESPN; Otis Livingston, WCBS-TV; Karl Nelson, NY Giants; Lee Saltz, New England Patriots; and Bob Wischusen, New York Jets broadcaster.

Traug Keller, senior vice president of ESPN’s production and business divisions, served as the event chair. Sponsors included CBS Television, CBS Radio, ABC Channel 7, NBC owned TV stations, ESPN, Nielsen, and more.