About Us

Our Mission: Helping Children

The Bobby Nichols Fiddlesticks Charity Foundation, founded in 2002, is a group of Fiddlesticks members, known as Pipers, who volunteer to organize and run an annual celebrity pro-am invitational golf tournament and charity tennis tournament. Twenty tournaments have raised over fifteen million dollars for local children’s charities. Funds are raised through golf and tennis events with tournament sponsorships, raffles, live and silent auctions.

Our Vision: Community Giving

“We attract some of the greatest golfers for the Pro-Am, and it’s continued to grow over the years,” said Bobby Nichols. “Together with our neighbors we have raised $15 million, and every dollar has stayed local to provide services for abused children, even beds and shelter for children escaping an abusive home situation.”

The Bobby Nichols – Fiddlesticks Charity Foundation celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of Bobby Nichols, winner of 14 PGA Tour tournaments including the 1964 PGA Championship and 1974 Canadian Open.

NON-PROFIT STATUS
A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Since 2002 we have dedicated the Nichols Cup weekend events to raising funds for abused and at-risk youth in SWFL.

History of Giving

Bobby Nichols – Fiddlesticks Charity Foundation
2002
Bobby Nichols – Fiddlesticks Charity Foundation is established by a philanthropic group of Fiddlesticks friends and golfers organizing a Pro-Am golf tournament to benefit at-risk children and honoring Fiddlesticks’ first golf pro and PGA Champion, Bobby Nichols.
The Children’s Advocacy Center
2003
The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Southwest Florida becomes a partner charity of BNFCF. Two years later Abuse Counseling & Treatment, Inc. is added to the donor list. Both charities continue to serve Southwest Florida and its children and families needing abuse prevention and the healing resources.
Tennis Anyone?
2005
Nichols Cup weekend expands to include Fiddlesticks community events and the annual round robin tennis tournament. Competition today includes mixed doubles, ladies’ and men’s divisions vying for their names on the trophy all in the spirit of giving.
10 Year Anniversary
2012
BNFCF celebrates 10 years of the Pro-Am Golf Tournament with sports celebrities like Johnny Bench; golf legends both past and present Fuzzy Zoeller, Lanny Wadkins, Loren Roberts, Peter Jacobson, Chip Beck, Fulton Allem, Andy Bean, Lou Graham, Jerry Heard, Nolan Henke, David Mobley, Dan Pohl, Bob Toski, Scott Hotch, Tony Jacklin, Larry Laoretti, Wayne Levi, Mark Lye, Larry Ziegler, and Fiddlesticks member George McNeill.
Key To The City
2014
Fort Myers Mayor Randay Henderson presents Fiddlesticks Pipers with a key to the city for their dedication to the children of Southwest Florida. The Pipers of Fiddlesticks are the generous members who give of their time and talents to organize the annual fundraising events for the Bobby Nichols – Fiddlesticks Charity Foundation.
The Foundation donates all the funds raised with a scant 1% operating budget each year. In 2014, BNFCF donated $900,000 and had a wing at the Children’s Advocacy Center built in its name.
Receives Excellence Award
2015
The Florida Community Association Professionals recognizes BNFCF and the Fiddlesticks Community with the Florida Communities of Excellence Award for Civic Volunteerism and Advocacy. To date, the Foundation has raised $6.4 million in donations.
Charity Expands
2016
This year the Pipers and Fiddlesticks guests are celebrating outdoors in a tent. Having outgrown the clubhouse and occupying every possible tee time on the two golf courses at Fiddlesticks, the Long Mean and the Wee Friendly (renovated and renamed the Loch Ness in 2019).
One Million Dollars
2018
BNFCF raises over one million dollars in a single Nichols Cup event season! The Foundation has since expanded the main beneficiaries list to include two local charities that share the mission of helping abused and at-risk children, Blessings in a Backpack (2011) and Liberty Youth Ranch (2016).
20 Years of Giving
2022
Congratulations on 20 years of giving! The theme for this year and underlying theme every year is “Unity. Purpose. Action.” Nichols Cup weekend is again celebrated in a variety of social distancing ways due to the COVID19 pandemic. This year’s hybrid event features watch parties and well-spaced social events with a virtual auction for its second year. The ever-entertaining, Hall of Famer Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench continues to host the auction, live or virtual as he has since the beginning. Johnny and Bobby share a friendship and a strong bond for giving back to the community.

Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Michael Lancellot, President
Gerry Wolken, Executive Vice President
Bryan Simmering, Vice President
Holly McKenna, Secretary
Lee Hall, Treasurer
Bobby Nichols, Chairman Emeritus
Jack Rogers, Executive Vice President Emeritus
Earl Holland, President & Founding Board Member *

DIRECTORS

Frank Aloia, Jr.
Matt Bevins
Tony Ciampaglio
John Dwyer

Elliot Katzman
Tony Mast
Craig Nichols
Carol Welch

Past Directors

Dick Bean
Rhonda Blakely
Kevin Brogan
John Burns
Debbie Burnside
Tom Case
Nancy Clair
Loli DiSanto
Jim Dwyer, Jr. *
Wendell Ehinger
Bill Fike *
Heidi Frederic

John Gentleman
Luther Grainger
George Gulisano
Bill Horowitz
Andi Horowitz
Marc Lobdell
Austin Lydon
Mike Marco
Bob Martin
Suzanne Moss
Tuck Nason
Russ Ogan

Kayla Ramey
Mike Sherman
Barb Skillman
Robb Smith
Russ Smith
John Streep *
Bob Thorstenson
Tom Twehues *
Katherine Van der Mey
Peter Van der Mey *
Harry Wilkinson *

*In Memorium

Governance

Board consists of Fiddlesticks members. Board members serve without pay and each pays his/her own Piper dues and tournament fees. One Fiddlesticks staff member serves as the event coordinator. Accounting services are provided by an independent contractor.

A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, FEIN 04-3649766. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state, 1-800-435-7352 (800-HELP-FLA) or visiting www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state. Florida Registration #CH14777.