The Johnston Memorial Cancer Events “Super Bowl-like” golf tournament will tee off on Saturday, May 11 at Connecticut National Golf Club in Putnam Ct.

It’s officially entitled the JMCE (501c3) Hasbro Children’s Hospital Friends & Family Golf Event that will tee off for the 18th year to benefit the Hematology/Oncology Departments at the nationally acclaimed facility in Providence.

“It’s amazing what the JMCE has done for Hasbro Children’s Hospital,” countless players will tell. “What started as Campfires for Cancer has ballooned into perhaps Rhode Island’s most famous and important amateur golf tournaments.”

Attest: the JMC golf go-round has raised upwards of $370,000 for Hasbro Children’s Hospital to date and tourney organizers are looking to reach the $500,000 plateau in the immediate future.

“The JMCE Golf bash is a tournament unlike any other,” people like Attorney Steve Pucella, who chairs the now 24-year-old Ricky Salzillo Memorial Game Dinner will tell you. “Especially since it’s played in memory of long-time friends Raymond Johnson, John Furia, Frances Grasso, Sal Gelsomino, Anna Mazzulla and Laura DeAngelis.”

Moreover, it’s the many family members of those six friends – who lost a battle with cancer – that make the JMCE Golf Tournament an overwhelming success by doing everything from making chowder and hot wieners to cooking sausage and pepper sandwiches on the charcoal grill.

“We’ll again have food all day,” said Vin LaFazia, who chairs the event with his tireless committee of friends, most of whom are members at famed Gloucester Country Club in Chepachet.  “No one goes hungry; there’s the pre-tee off luncheon as well as foods on the course.”

Likewise, the JMCE Golf will feature many giveaways, a giant raffle, awards ceremony and four divisions – Open, Coed, Women and Seniors for players 65 and over. Interested players must register and pay before April 15,2024. There are also different levels of sponsorships up to majors for $500.

Registration forms are available by calling Linda LaFazia at (401) 233-2564 and Judi Graham at (401) 497-2954.

In keeping with tradition, each player will receive a special gift and upon entering the committee will need to know each golfer’s shirt size.