Continuing the Vision of ‘The Squire’

If one could measure the quality of a community by its generosity, then the Marco Island community probably ranks up there with many of the best in our nation or even the world. Through our generosity to others, we may quickly find that we become inspired in our lives to raise the bar in how we respond to the challenges and important choices we make as we grow older.

Last Sunday we saw what makes Marco Island a magnet for so many folks as they seek a place to call home. Finding that special location to raise a family or retire has many aspects to consider as we make those choices. The quality of education for our children, availability of transportation should travel be required, cultural as well as recreational opportunities, the cost of living, as well as climate, are all factors to be kept in focus before we make the final decision as to where we choose to put down our roots or find that special get-away spot.

I never had the privilege to know the Mackle brothers or any of their executive staff, except for Herb Savage, who I met when I joined Rotary. Savage was the architect who helped to design the early look of the island. So, whether Herb Savage or the Mackles ever envisioned the place that today we call home as a community where retirees, young families, entrepreneurs, and working-class folks could live and work alongside each other is a question to which we will never have a conclusive answer.

As I have explained in earlier columns, I discovered Marco by chance while visiting the mother and father of a great friend whom I worked with. I simply fell in love with Marco as we crested the top of the Judge Jolley Bridge and I saw the beautiful skyline ahead with the Marco River flowing so gently out to the Gulf of Mexico as the rays of Florida sunshine made the water sparkle and come alive. It was such a beautiful sight, and my mind began to focus on the opportunities that laid ahead for a naive 36-year-old young man from a small town in New Hampshire.

Almost three and a half years later, I accepted a position with a major company in our business that placed me in the Southeast. Where I lived was not important, so long as I was near a major transportation hub. It was an easy decision for me and the condominium I had purchased would soon become my new permanent home.

Last Sunday I spent a good portion of the day at the Marco Island County Club covering an event that is sponsored by the Island County Club’s Charitable Foundation (ICCCF). The event is named the “Legends of Golf.” The club itself is fortunate to have shared a longtime relationship with several of golf’s greatest names. Gene Sarazen, who carried the nickname of “The Squire,” was one of them.

In addition to Sarazen, Tony Lima, Pat Bradley, and Ken Venturi also served to bolster the professionals that called the Marco Island Country Club their home.

Sarazen came to Marco Island in 1966 as the Deltona Corporation began its development of the island. Golf would soon become a major draw to the community. Sarazen became not only a fixture at the newly created golf club, but a community activist and philanthropist. In 1967, he became the permanent chairperson of the Marco Island Country Club’s Golf Committee following the sudden death of Tony Lima and his wife in a tragic plane crash. 

He became the club’s Resident Professional from 1981 to 1999 and established his annual tournament to benefit the island’s Urgent Care Center through the Sarazen Foundation. 

After Sarazen’s death in 1999, a group of equally minded philanthropists who were club members chose to establish the Island Country Club’s Charitable Foundation (ICCCF) to continue the tradition of giving back to the community. That wonderful philanthropic spirit, which was always part of Gene Sarazen’s character, lives on through their work.

Since its creation in 2000, the Foundation has donated over $3 Million back to charitable needs within our community. (You can see the list in the article I’ve written for this week’s edition of our newspaper.)

These are amazing folks that give of themselves to improve not only our island, but the lives of so many others. They do truly continue the kindness and love that was part of the soul of the man who many simply referred to as “The Squire.” I am proud to know many of them that make up the Foundation and the countless supporters of their cause, which we should all share.

I guess that is why I believe so much in this community and the good it is capable of. There is no challenge so great we cannot overcome it, if we don’t care who gets the credit and we all work together.

Thank you ICCCF for all you do for the community.