On a cold winter’s day in the basement of Ergodyne’s St. Paul, Minnesota headquarters, the concept for an annual summer golf tournament was born. The following summer of 1997, Ergodyne invited friends, families and business partners to golf, be merry and raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) at the first annual 65 Roses Golf Classic: A Tenacious Tournament. The event was an overnight success and is now one of the top fundraisers for CFF — to date contributing more than $2 million dollars to research.

 Over the past decade, the 65 Roses Golf Classic: A Tenacious Tournament has evolved into more than a summer golf tournament: it has become the premiere safety event attended annually by leading reps, distributors, manufacturers and end-users. Hosted every summer at one of Minnesota’s most acclaimed and top-rated courses, the 65 Roses Golf Classic: A Tenacious Tournament provides an ideal setting for entertaining strategic business partners, networking with other leading safety industry professionals and contributing to a great cause. The scramble format caters to golfers of all skill levels and emphasizes a competitive yet fun team atmosphere. 

What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, leading to life-threatening lung infections; and also obstructs the pancreas, stopping natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

Why the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation?

CFF was recently ranked the nation’s top “charity you can trust” in SmartMoney, magazine of The Wall Street Journal. Nearly 90 cents of every dollar raised at events such as the 65 Roses Golf Classic: A Tenacious Tournament goes to the research needed to find a cure.

 As for 65 Roses, it is an endearing term that a young patient with CF used to call his Cystic Fibrosis because he couldn’t pronounce it. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation does not host 65 Roses golf tournaments across the nation, but they do use the term for some of their fundraising efforts, as do families and communities when raising money for CF.

EVENT at a glance

WHAT: The 65 Roses Golf Classic

WHERE: Legends Golf Club in Prior Lake, MN

WHEN: Monday, July 16, 2012

CONTACT: Nicole.johnson@ergodyne.com