Seventy-four golfers, including Autism Speaks Co-founders Suzanne and Bob Wright, event Co-chairs Billie and Bernie Marcus, and sports and entertainment personalities hit the links for the Second Annual Autism Speaks Golf Classic at the historic Deepdale Golf Club, in Manhasset, raising over $530,000 for autism research. The tournament, held on Sept. 24, was hosted by Today co-anchor, Matt Lauer, for the second year in a row.

The day's events included a putting competition, numerous course contests, and a dinner reception with both silent and live auctions. The live portion, which featured the auctioneering talents of Bob Wright and Joe Kernen, co-anchor of CNBC's Squawk Box, offered rare experience packages from Cipriani and Bentley of Long Island, among others.

Also on hand to help raise funds for autism research, awareness and advocacy were former NFL player and CBS game analyst Marcus Allen; Today In New York's Sports Anchor Otis Livingston; Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench; University of Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun, former New York Giants linebacker and sports broadcaster Harry Carson; former NFL tight end Howard Cross; former NFL defensive back Dick Lynch; Olympic gold medal winning snowboarder Ross Powers; and CBS' The Early Show co-anchor and the host of A&E's Biography series Harry Smith.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Autism Spectrum Disorders are diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The diagnosis of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for autism, and to advocating for the needs of affected families. It was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is vice chairman, General Electric, and served as chief executive officer of NBC for more than 20 years. Autism Speaks has merged with both the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) and Cure Autism Now (CAN), bringing together the nation's three leading autism advocacy organizations. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.