With the presentation of a $10,000 check, The Prudential Insurance Company of America became the title sponsor of the South Dade YMCA Golf Classic, an event organizers predict will become annual and the jewel of the youth organization’s roster of fund-raisers.

South Dade YMCA staff and member children are all smiles as Prudential Insurance Co. of America officials present a $10,000 check to become title sponsor of the YMCA Golf Classic. Participating in the check presentation are (Left to Right) Jesse Suarez, a Prudential agent and a YMCA board of directors member; Dr. Thom Den Boer, Executive Director of the South Dade YMCA; Ed Morales, Managing Director of the Coral Gables Agency of The Prudential Insurance Co.; and Andy Fedak, Prudential’s local operations and contracts manager.

"It’s going to be an ongoing, annual tournament," said Dr. Thom Den Boer, Executive Director of the South Dade YMCA . "The whole premise of the tournament is to supplement our Invest In Youth campaign, a fund to generate and provide financial assistance for families and children who enroll in our programs, but who are faced with financial limitations."

Ed Morales, Managing Director of the Coral Gables Agency of The Prudential Insurance Co. of America, said the golf tournament sponsorship is only the start of the company’s relationship with the South Dade YMCA.

"This is just the very beginning of what we’re trying to accomplish," said Morales. "We want to develop a year-round relationship, a partnership with the YMCA — with our associates, our families — to become more involved with the families in the community. We’re looking at other opportunities to work with the YMCA, such as with the soccer league and providing some grants for after school educational programs."

The 18-hole golf tournament will be held Oct. 3 at the University Golf and Country Club, 9400 SW 130 Avenue, in West Kendall’s Calusa area. Although Prudential has locked up the title sponsorship, other corporate levels of participation remain available from the $5,000 level to $200.

Lucent Technologies has signed on as a $2,500 sponsor and Den Boer said additional tentative corporate sponsors include American Bankers, the Miami WNBA, Burger King, Zephyr Hills, McDonalds, Parrot Jungle, Classic Title, Rawlings Sporting Goods and Sofia Bank. Publix Supermarkets, he said, has signed on as an event sponsor at the $600 level.

"This golf tournament is a first for the South Dade YMCA," said Den Boer. "An event like this is a great way of bringing people together that normally wouldn’t have the chance. This event is an example of, number one, giving people a chance for community involvement, networking and bonding and, secondly, to generate funds for our financial assistance program."

The golf tournament will raise money for the Y in several different ways, including entry fees, a silent auction, hole-tee-and-team sponsorships and an evening dinner. The auction will offer an assortment of signed sports merchandise and memorabilia, vacation awards, travel vouchers, shopping gift certificates and restaurant pledges. Team sponsorships go for $600 and a ticket to the dinner is $35.

"You could collectively have four of your best friends that you would normally golf with on Sunday come play in the tournament," said Den Boer, "and for $150 apiece, along with the fellowship and a round of golf, you get a gift bag, a polo shirt, dinner, the auction and the festive atmosphere. So, you get more of a bang for your buck than just your normal golfing on Sunday."