Forever Young Magazine

April 2007
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Section: Life & Leisure

Third Annual Michael Tata Golf Tournament
By Gail Nicholson

Ann Swan and the
LaMastra crew from
Mercedes Benz, Buffalo.

Joe Drochakk from
the Rhino Group.

L-R: Scott Pattison, a college
friend of Michael Tata’s and
Eric Gibson, Eric Nelson,
Matt Muldoon, Coley Cleary
and Mike Marfino close
friends from high school.
Photos by Michael Markovic

Michael Tata, a native Buffalonian and graduate of Amherst High School and University of Nevada, Las Vegas, died suddenly at age 33 in 2004, shocking his family and friends. A hometown hero, Michael worked his way up professionally in Las Vegas from the MGM Grand to top executive at Green Valley Ranch. As Green Valley’s director of hotel operations he soon became the central figure in Discovery Channel’s American Casino television series. Each year family and friends pay tribute to Michael by raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

When friends gather again on May 19 at the Legacy Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, there will surely be plenty of laughs and a few tears as they honor Michael by raising money for an organization that was close to his heart. A few years ago the foundation granted the wish of Michael’s beloved nephew Salvatore, a cancer survivor, to visit Disneyworld. Nationally, since 1980, Make-A-Wish has enriched the lives close to 148,000 children with life-threatening medical conditions. The golf outing is a chance to give back to this organization that personally touched Michael and his family.

The fundraising goal this year is $25,000 which will grant about five wishes. Sponsors are Green Valley Ranch Resort, which is offering special pricing on rooms for the event. Others sponsors include: HBO providing HBO Boxing hats and gifts, Dick’s Sporting Goods has donated 144 sleeves of golf balls, coupons and a gift certificate for the auction, trophies sponsored by Buffalo Spree Publishing and American Nevada Holdings and Boulder Station supporting Silver Sponsorships. The event includes: A pairings party Friday May 18 at The Whiskey Bar. Golf and an all-American barbeque at one of Las Vegas’ top ten courses, The Legacy on Saturday May 19.

New sponsors will help reach
the $25,000 goal. Please sign up and
send your checks to:

Michael Tata Foundation
497 Cornwall Ave.
Tonawanda, NY 14150

Make-A-Wish
Foundation of WNY
5554 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221

Visit www.michaeltata.com
for more information.