Flames captain Mark Giordano will tee off at the Calgary Italian Open on Monday, August 27th, in support of his community program, Team Gio.

Date: Monday, August 27th, 2018

Time: 1:00 PM Shotgun start. Registration opens at 11:00 AM

Location: Pinebrook Golf and Country Club – 166 Pinebrook Way SW, Calgary, AB

Media Availability: 12:00 PM MST with Flames captain Mark Giordano outside the Pinebrook Clubhouse.

“My wife Lauren and I are extremely thankful to the Calgary Italian Open for their continued support of our program,” said Giordano. “Their efforts go a long way in ensuring every Team Gio student has the opportunity to succeed and realize their full potential.”

“It is an honour to once again connect Mark with the local Italian community to help raise funds and awareness for Team Gio for a fifth consecutive year,” added Tony Sabelli, Vice President of the Calgary Italian Open Society. “Mark’s incredible story of success and the values he learned from his parents are evident and closely aligned with so many members of our local Italian-Canadian community.”

In recognition of his community efforts, Giordano has received numerous awards including the NHL Foundation Player Award in 2016 and the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award at the ESPN Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards in 201. The latter recognizes an athlete whose continuous, demonstrated leadership has created a positive impact on their community through sports.

Proceeds from the golf tournament will be directed to:

Team Gio: In partnership with the Calgary Board of Education (CBE), Team Gio provides resources to four low-income Calgary schools to assist in meeting student needs and support personal development. Funded by the Giordanos, the Calgary Flames Foundation and the Calgary Italian Open Charity Golf Tournament, the schools are provided new computers, floor hockey equipment, school supplies along with student mentorship opportunities developed and supported by Mark and Lauren. Since its inception, Team Gio has donated $400,000 to its four schools, impacting the lives of 1,900 students.

Calgary Italian Open: Since 2002, the Italian Open has raised over $800,000 and supported the following charities and organizations: Calgary Italian School, Calgary Italian Sportsmen’s and Sportwomen’s Dinners, Inn from the Cold, Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada – West, Kids Help Phone, KidSport, Red Cross Alberta Flood Relief Fund and the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Center.