The Lindberg family lost their beautiful daughter Nicole to cancer several years ago, but each year they still find it in their hearts to give back to the Ann’s Place community that helped them during those difficult years. Even after they moved to Florida, they continue to help sponsor services for families at Ann’s Place. Their story continues to grow! The following is from the family…
Friends of Peter Frates and Nicole Lindberg Memorial Golf
Tournament at Bonita Bay Club
On a blustery cold January 2021 morning, Tom Lindberg and John Frates were randomly paired as new members to Bonita Bay Club to play a round of golf on the East Course in Naples. Being so windy and raw, the rest of the group dropped out but we fatefully decided to play on! Forgetting the essential scorecard, we scored our strokes on the inside cover of a golf ball box which is forever memorialized in a photo. The usual banter turned to talking about family. Inconceivably, we both had recently lost an adult child to ALS and Cancer diseases and knew we would be forever linked by this cruel circumstance of tragic fate.
Our families have honored our children by holding events in our hometowns in Connecticut and Massachusetts and we each have participated in the other’s summer golf tournaments. We discussed the notion to combine efforts at our beloved Bonita Bay and the seed of the Tournament was germinated.
Boldly, we set our sights high and requested two courses for the event. With EJ’s approval, and the support of Becky and Jeff Jaarda from JR Wood Properties as our Principal Sponsors, along with two anonymous BBC member sponsors who generously provided the initial funding, we gained the momentum and resources needed to bring our tournament to life.
With 220 golfers on the courses and nearly 300 dinner guests, we are truly overwhelmed by the incredible response from our Club and Community. While tributes to Peter and Nicole have been widely successful up North, we weren’t sure what to expect in a new setting, especially with participants traveling from across the country. The turnout was nothing short of amazing.
On behalf of the Frates and Lindberg Families, we are so very grateful for your involvement and support of our collective missions. It was truly heartwarming and inspiring that so many arrived with commitment, optimism and enthusiasm for our causes.