Sports Hall of Famers Tee Off For a Good Cause at the 2006 'Fortman Cline Lifestyle Celebrity Swing With the Legends Golf Classic' in South Beach

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- It's not often that the legends of professional baseball, football and golf come together, but when they do, it's headline worthy. Last week at the 2006 Fortman Cline Lifestyle Celebrity Swing with the Legends, celebrity athletes helped raised $56,000 for charity. The annual benefit golf tournament brought out Lee Elder, the first African American golfer ever to play in the PGA; along with former players from Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League (NFL).

Participants purchased foursomes, which included one Hall of Fame athlete per team; proceeds benefited the Major League Baseball Alumni Association and the Hall of Fame Players Association. The all-day event, held at the Miami Beach Golf & Country Club, was followed by a silent auction, which contributed to the money raised that day, and was capped off by a traditional Texas-style barbeque. The winning team, led by football great Lawrence Taylor (LT) was recognized that evening at the awards ceremony.

Hall of Famers who participated in the high-profile, high-energy event included:

MLB: Gary Carter, Gaylord Perry, Earl Weaver, Brooks Robinson, Ferguson Jenkins, Rollie Fingers, Bob Feller, Harmon Killebrew and Robin Roberts

NFL: Lawrence Taylor, Dwight Stephenson, Mel Renfro, Bobby Bell, Carl Eller, Ted Hendricks, Leroy Kelly, Paul Krause, Larry Little and Jan Stenerud

The event was underwritten by Fortman Cline, a global private investment holding company based in Switzerland. Other sponsors included Ferretti Group USA, the Savoy Hotel Miami Beach and Warren Henry Automobiles/ Land Rover North Dade, which showcased the latest model Land Rover at the seventh hole. To kick off the event, Fortman Cline hosted a formal cocktail and dinner at The Forge on Miami Beach the evening prior to the tournament.

Led by CEO Paul M.M.J. Schuler, Fortman Cline was founded in 1996 in Zug, Switzerland. The firm specializes in technology and financial service investments. The company expanded into corporate finance consulting through Fortman Cline Consulting, Zug, and into distressed real estate investments through the foundation of Swiss Real Estate AG, Zug, in 2002. Since inception, Fortman Cline was involved in six IPOs, two trade sales and one buyout with a combined transaction volume of over one billion Swiss Francs. For more information, visit http://www.fortmancline.com/.

Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) was formed in 1982 in order to promote the game of baseball, involve former MLB players in community activities, inspire today's youth through positive sports images and raise funds to support important charitable causes. For more information, visit http://www.baseball-legends.com/.

Hall of Fame Players Association was formed in 2000. Its members lend their support and efforts to communities, individuals, organizations and corporations in a variety of charitable, educational and commercial endeavors. For more information, visit http://www.hofplayers.com/.

Contact: Nicole Lewis of Apple Organization, 305-937-1581 Ext. 108