Little City Invitational will tee off on Aug. 16

The Little City Foundation will host its 47th annual Little City Invitational Golf Tournament on Monday, Aug. 16, at Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove.

Co-chairpersons Ed Hockfield and Jennifer Quinn are hoping to top last-year's record-breaking mark of $400,000.

"We're getting good support, but we still need to finish strong," said Hockfield, who is executive vice president of the Little City board of directors. "Our committee is working hard to make this another very successful event for Little City."

The Little City Invitational is the second-oldest, ongoing nonprofit golf tournament in Illinois, behind only the Evans Scholars program, and one of the oldest of its kind in the country.

Players and sponsors can still participate. Contact Phyllis Shipbaugh at (847) 221-7892, pshipbaugh@littlecity.org or visit www.littlecity.org/events/2010/lci/.

Headlining this year's tournament is honoree Patrick Larmon, president and CEO of Bunzl Distribution USA Inc., a St. Louis-based distributor of products that include outsourced food packaging, disposable supplies and cleaning and safety products. Larmon lives in Oak Brook.

This year's tournament also will signify the final major event celebrating Little City's 50th anniversary year, which began Oct. 1, 2009, and ends Sept. 30, 2010.

Little City will present Larmon with its prestigious Morrie Kellman Humanitarian Award, named after the founder of the Little City tournament.

No stranger to Little City, Larmon has played in several Little City Invitational tournaments in the past to support the organization. In fact, his foursome won the event last year.

He is also very active in community service, both in the Chicago and St. Louis areas, including serving on the national board of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"Pat is a perfect selection for our Morrie Kellman Humanitarian Award, which emphasizes compassion, dedication and support for people with disabilities," said Hockfield.

"Little City Foundation is a wonderful organization that provides hope and dignity to people with disabilities, and I am always willing to help them whenever I can," Larmon said. "To receive an honor of this caliber is very humbling, and I look forward to taking part in this year's tournament."

A full field of 250 golfers is expected to tee it up on Aug. 16. They have the option to walk with caddies on the courses instead of using carts.

The event also includes an awards dinner that includes an expansive silent auction as well as a live auction featuring several packages, from playing golf at exclusive clubs to sailing on Lake Michigan while hosting your own private party.

The invitational supports the Palatine-based Little City Foundation, which provides extensive services and programs, including residential care, for hundreds of children and adults with disabilities. The cost to play individually is $750; sponsorships also are available.

For complete information, visit www.lilttlecity.org or contact Rick Johnson at rjohnson@littlecity.org or (847) 221-7831.