Produce Industry Is at the Heart of Don Strock Diabetes Classic

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Produce industry is at the heart of Don Strock Diabetes Classic

April 6, 2005

The produce industry?s top growers and suppliers have joined together once again to organize the Don Strock Diabetes Classic, one of South Florida?s longer-running celebrity/amateur charity golf tournaments, which benefits the Diabetes Research Institute.

Although Don Strock, the legendary Miami Dolphins quarterback and current head football coach at Florida International University, is the face of the tournament, it's the produce industry that stands as the backbone and the heart of this event. The 2005 tournament will be held May 18 at the Miccosukee Golf & Country Club in Miami.

Now in its 22nd year, the event was created by tournament Chairman Bruce Fishbein of The Produce Connection. When he learned that the young son of his friend, Oscar Sotolongo, director of cruise ships and export for A-One-A Produce & Dairy, had been diagnosed with diabetes, Mr. Fishbein immediately became involved, rallying colleagues from The Produce Connection, Six L?s Packing Co., Tropical Shipping, Top Tomato Co., M&R Produce Distributors, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Limeco Inc., Maersk Sealand and Apollo Ship Chandlers to join the committee. He also invited his friend, Mr. Strock, to lead it with him. To date, the event has raised more than $1 million for the DRI.

Many sponsors sign on year after year. In addition to the companies already mentioned, the following sponsors are also confirmed: Presenting Sponsor Miami Seaquarium, Florida Mushroom, The Oppenheimer Group, Freedom Fresh, Sunkist, Southern Specialties, Taylor Farms Florida, and Riverside Fruits & Vegetables.

Joining Messrs. Fishbein and Strock on the course will be football stars Dan Marino, Bob Kuchenberg, Don McNeal, Nat Moore, Tony Nathan and Gino Toretta. The 22nd annual Don Strock

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Diabetes Classic will begin with a shotgun tee-off at noon. Lunch will be provided, followed by a round of golf, cocktail reception and awards dinner. The Miccosukee Golf & Country Club is located at 6401 Kendale Lakes Drive. Sponsorship packages, tee green signs and player spots are still available.

For more information, call the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at 800/321-3437.