Autism Speaks Takes Over Winged Foot Golf Club

The clubhouse at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck was busy with pink-shirted volunteers Monday morning preparing for the Autism Speaks 13th annual fundraiser golf tournament. Celebrities and professional athletes streamed onto the green. The weather was perfect for a day of friendly competition.

But this was not your typical celebrity outing on the links. Last year, the event took in $900,000 and even before the official tee-off at noon this year's event had already taken in $750,000.

Founded in 2005, Autism Speaks is now the world's largest autism-related organization, working with governments in the UK, Albania, Bangladesh, and Korea. The group has helped raise public awareness of a disorder that may affect as many as 1 in 110 children, and 1 in 70 boys in the United States. 

Autism Speaks co-founder and NBC Universal CEO Bob Wright served as honorary co-chair of the event and put things in perspective.

"We try to do things on a national basis so that money goes to the NIH (National Institute of Health)-directed research and trying to bring more doctors and scientists into the autism field," said Wright, adding that the organization has established the criteria for autism research due to its wide-reaching scope.

Event co-chairs Susan and Kevin J. Murray live in Rye and have a personal investment in the success of the golf tournament. Their 18-year old son Owen was diagnosed with autism thirteen years ago. That catalyst moved them to do all they could raise funds for medical research and advocacy campaigns. 

Right around the time that Owen was diagnosed—and when Autism Speaks was in its nascent stages— Susan threw her first fundraising event at the Westchester Country Club, raising an impressive $500,000 her first time around.

"It just grew from there," she said, emphasizing that there has been a "tremendous response" from people in Mamaroneck and Rye, particularly in the beginning when, "most of the people didn't really know many people with autism."

Both recognize that their success is dependent on the people that help make it happen: "This event wouldn't be possible without the local community—Winged Foot and all the surrounding towns," said Kevin, adding that many community members have volunteered their time to help the cause.

Laura Slack, vice president of the Rye City Schools Board of Education, volunteered at the clubhouse while her husband played in the tourney.

"It's very important for parents of autistic children to know other parents who are going through their exact same experience," Slack said, continuing, "It can be very isolating to have a disabled child."  

Like the Murrays, Slack has a child with autism. When she learned her daughter Jennifer was affected, Slack committed herself to learning all she could and finding the resources necessary to support Jennifer and the rest of her family.

Her son Jonathan, a 2010 graduate of Rye HS and current president of AutismU at Northwestern University, also volunteered. 

Slack said she often has Jennifer wear the Ralph Lauren event pullover shirt with the puzzle piece logo of Autism Speaks, and finds more people are aware of what it represents and what autism is as well.

Autism Speaks provides a helpful description of the condition: "autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges."

NBC sportscaster and Rye resident Jimmy Roberts was more than willing to come out a play a day of golf to support the cause.  His best friend has an autistic son so, "the issue is in our lives peripherally," he said.

Roberts was blown away by the sheer numbers of people that have been diagnosed with autism in recent years.

"If this many people in America had cancer, something would be done about it," he said.

The group has directed more than $160 million medical research and family support resources. It has also partnered with the United Nations and the Ad Council to magnify its impact to an international level.