Island Country Club Charitable Foundation a Beacon to Community

Since its founding by the Deltona Corporation, the Island Country Club has always been a very special place which has drawn countless celebrities, as well as golfing greats, over the 57 years since its inception in 1966.

The Mackle Brothers understood the attraction that a world class country club would bring to marketing the vision they had for the island. Because of that, they made sure the club would live up to the standards they had set for the product they were selling.

From its outset, when the Deltona Corporation was able to convince a young golfing great, Tony Lima, to become its resident PGA Golf Pro, to another golfing legend Gene Sarazen, who would come aboard after the untimely death of Lima in a tragic accident, the club has lived up to its reputation for excellence over those 57 years.

However, besides great golf and wonderful facilities, the Island Club has become very embedded within the community through the philanthropic efforts of the Island Country Club’s Charitable Foundation’s (ICCCF) annual grant program. This program assists local charities in their efforts to serve special needs here on the island.

The Island Country Club Charitable Foundation was formed after the death of Gene Sarazen in 2020, in part to carry on his commitment to the community which has been shared by the members of the Foundation as well as the Island Club membership and staff members themselves. Through their grants program the Foundation has supported many of the charities that serve the community with distinction over the years. 

One would only have to look around the newly renovated club house last Sunday to understand the commitment and devotion the members of the Island Club and the club’s staff have to the purpose of their Foundation, and the good works that are done within the community they are part of.

The Island Club is more than brick and mortar - it has become a major contributor to the citizens of the island for which it belongs. Its membership, through the Island Club Charitable Foundation, has been a wonderful partner within the greater Marco Community.

Aldo Palombo, President of the Foundation, thanked those who came out on February 5th to support the Foundation for their participation in the Annual Legends of Golf Charity Golf Tournament.

Participants in the event, as well as spouses and significant others, gathered together in the newly renovated clubhouse and facilities for a cocktail hour and dinner, as well as a charity auction which would benefit the Foundation.

Those who had not yet viewed the newly renovated facilities would be quick to comment on the quality of the results of the nearly two-year project which was somewhat delayed due to the COVID Pandemic, supply chain issues, and Hurricane Ian as well as contractor issues.