Tip Murphy Legacy Golf Tournament Brings In Over $30,000 For United Fresh Start Foundation

WASHINGTON, DC – The 2014 Tip Murphy Legacy Golf Tournament held Monday, September 29, 2014, at the Oasis Golf Club near Cincinnati, Ohio saw more than ninety produce and retail representatives come together for an afternoon of golf and networking.  The tournament raised more than $30,000 for the United Fresh Start Foundation to support its mission of increasing children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

“This year’s event was one of the most successful tournaments that we’ve hosted, since we started this,   according to Bob Spence, Senior Vice President, Ready Pac Foods and member of the event’s advisory committee.  “We were pleased to have so many golfers turn out.  Plus, we had many generous sponsors including Unifrutti of America and Produce Business as well as desirable raffle items that helped us exceed our previous years’ fundraising numbers.  We’re also glad to be raising funds for a worthwhile cause, while also spending some time to reminisce with colleagues and remember a dear friend.  There were a lot of folks who made this year’s event a success.”

The United Fresh Foundation aims to increase the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables to children as a critical step in combating childhood obesity and launching a lifetime of healthy snack and meal choices. The United Foundation is a founding partner of the national Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative, which has donated salad bars to more than 3,500 schools nationwide, benefitting 2 million children every day.

Terrence "Tip" Murphy, a 15-year veteran of the produce industry was division vice president of retail sales for Ready Pac Foods when he passed away unexpectedly in July 2008 at age 48. His career included 13 years with Chiquita Brands International.   An advisory committee, which includes several of Tip’s colleagues, established the golf tournament in 2009 to honor his life and career, and to raise funds for worthwhile produce industry causes.

This year’s tournament winners include:

1st Place with a score of 56 – Chiquita Brands International / Grant County Foods:

    Jim Warken
    Brian Kocher
    Bill Piper
    Dan Floyd

2nd Place with a score of 58 – Farm Fresh Direct / Nathel International:

    Dave Yeager
    Todd Melton
    Tony Harmon
    Mike Harmon

3rd Place with a score of 59 – The Kroger Company:

    Tom Rasmussen
    Stephen Rasmussen
    Vince Matracia
    Drew Matracia

Longest Drive Winners:

    Men: Tony Harmon, Nathel International
    Women: Sarah Re, Delhi Foods

Closest to the Pin Winners:

    Pin #3 – Josh Taylor
    Pin #5 – Dan Robbins, Wright Marketing
    Pin #14 – Adam Zinsmeister, T Marzetti Company
    Pin #16 – Brian Kocher, Chiquita Brands International, Inc.

For more information about, or to sponsor, the 2015 event, please contact Dana Davis at (302) 750-4662 or danadavis@epix.net.

Founded in 1904, the United Fresh Produce Association brings together companies across every segment of the fresh produce supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations. We empower industry leaders to shape sound government policy. We deliver the resources and expertise companies need to succeed in managing complex business and technical issues. We provide the training and development individuals need to advance their careers in produce. And, through these endeavors, we unite our industry with a common purpose – to build long-term value for our members and grow produce consumption. For more information, visit www.unitedfresh.org or call 202-303-3400.

Source: United Fresh Produce Association