The Lymphoma Research Foundation invited the community to tee up for a better tomorrow at the Third Annual South Florida Golf Invitational on Monday, May 4, 2026. Supporters putted for a purpose at the iconic La Gorce Country Club, one of the most exclusive private golf clubs in the United States, designed by Jack Nicklaus, while being a catalyst in finding cures. The exclusive tournament highlighted the Foundation’s strong donor base with a unique, intimate experience for the 72 participants.
The event raised $575,000 to support the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s mission to realize the promise of science to eradicate lymphoma and serve the community touched by this disease. Proceeds will power breakthroughs in research that cure blood cancers and directly support cancer patients in need. Lymphoma is the most common blood cancer in adults and the third most common cancer overall among children. The Lymphoma Research Foundation is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to funding lymphoma research and supporting the lymphoma community through evidence-based education, support services and resources.
The annual event kicked off with breakfast, while players warmed up on the driving range. The shamble-style tournament commenced with a shotgun start. Golfers enjoyed lunch, an open bar, and two-hole-in-one challenges to win a Cadillac Escalade generously donated by Murgado Automotive Group and a prize of $50,000 generously donated by Outsmart Labs. After the final hole was played, players gathered in the La Gorce clubhouse for a networking cocktail reception and enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres and the event’s signature cocktail, “Drive to a Cure.” The evening continued with an awards ceremony and an impressive culinary spread, including fresh sushi, a carving station, assorted pastries and a build-your-own sundae station. Guests listened to guest speakers, including hosted by Co-Chair Leigh Olson and Robert McAuley, a member of the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Every five minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with lymphoma, and more than one million people in the country are living with, or in remission from, lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
“We are incredibly thankful to everyone who joined us at our Third Annual South Florida Golf Invitational at La Gorce Country Club,” said Meghan Gutierrez, CEO of the Lymphoma Research Foundation. “It was an inspiring day that brought our community together in support of a shared mission. We are especially grateful to our co-chairs, Leigh and Cory Olson, along with our dedicated committee, board members, sponsors, and donors whose passion and generosity continue to drive progress in lymphoma research and provide hope to those impacted. Together we can accelerate breakthroughs, bring us closer to a cure, and create a brighter future for all impacted by this disease.”
The event was co-chaired by Leigh and Cory Olson. The 2026 Benefit Committee was Walter J. Andrews, Barbara Freundlich, and Patricia Kaine. The 2025 Scientific Committee was Jacqueline Barrientos, MD, MS of Mount Sinai Medical Center, Morton Coleman, M.D. of Weill Cornell Medicine, Andrew M. Evens, DO, MSc, MBA of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Leah and John Leonard, MD of NYU School of Medicine, and Eduardo M. Sotomayor, MD of Tampa General Hospital.
The Third Annual South Florida Golf Invitational Presenting Sponsor was Leigh and Cory Olson. The Mission Champion Sponsor was Eli Lilly and Company. The Platinum Sponsors were Laura and Lloyd Blankfein, The Patricia Kaine Family, and Allison and Howard Lutnick. The Gold Sponsors were The Connors Family, The Neighbors Family, The Prince Family Foundation, and Bob McAuley and Friends (Harmony4Hope), and the Foursome Sponsors were Walter J. Andrews, Chike Springer Foundation, Outsmart Labs, Kenneth C. Griffin and Griffin Catalyst, Amy and Joseph Perella, Kimberly and Kevin Shea, John Ventura, and Laura and Michael Werner. The Hole Sponsors included Stone Point Capital, Jean and Steven Eichberg, Leslie and Greg Ferrero, The Freundlich Family, Ellen and Efraim Grinberg, Hendriks’ Heroes, Terri and Jeff Krasnoff, Selma and Jeffrey Newman, Miriam and David Phalen, Starwood Property Trust, and Madhvi and Ramesh Subrahmanian. The Hole-in-One Sponsors included Outsmart Labs and Murgado Automotive Group. The Cocktail reception was generously sponsored by Gail and Larry Dobosh, Linda and Rey Mayor, and The Paul Foundation.
About the Lymphoma Research Foundation:
The Lymphoma Research Foundation is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to funding innovative research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives, and patient services. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $82.7 million in lymphoma-specific research. For more information, please visit https://www.lymphoma.org/.
