Greenwich, CT — When Charles Balducci, a longtime Greenwich resident and Vice Chairman of Global Lyme Alliance (GLA), was playing golf in Montauk in 2004, he never imagined a tick bite would nearly take his life. Now, more than a decade later, Balducci is leading the charge to fight Lyme disease through his role with GLA, and by chairing the organization’s 4th Annual Charity Golf & Pickleball Tournament on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Greenwich Country Club.
Last year’s tournament raised over $250,000 for GLA’s research and patient support programs, and this year’s event will expand to include pickleball, offering even more ways for the community to rally behind this critical cause.
“Lyme disease almost killed me. I know firsthand how devastating and misdiagnosed this illness can be,” said Balducci, who serves as Managing Director and Wealth Advisor at Merrill Lynch. “I was lucky. Many aren’t. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to raise awareness and funds to drive better diagnostics, treatments, and education. With government funding now frozen for many research projects, the need for private support has never been greater.”
Balducci’s Lyme battle began after a tick bite during a golf outing led to a 105-degree fever, heart failure, and emergency surgery to install a temporary pacemaker. His experience ignited his passion to support Lyme disease advocacy and research, eventually leading him to get involved with Global Lyme Alliance, the leading nonprofit dedicated to conquering Lyme and other tick-borne diseases through innovative research, awareness, and empowering the patient voice.
Balducci added, “Ticks are small, but the threat they carry is enormous. We need to ensure that no one else has to face what I did, and that starts with funding the science and education necessary to end this epidemic.”
This year’s event will feature a day of golf, pickleball, cocktails, dinner, and a live auction, with all proceeds directly supporting GLA’s research and programs.
For more information on how to sponsor or register for the event, visit globallymealliance.org/golf25.