The 2nd Annual “Tee It Up Fore Marines” Golf Tournament was a huge success, raising more than $22,000 to benefit the Headquarters Battalion of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton.
The March 23 tournament, held at Camp Pendleton’s Marine Memorial Golf Course, attracted 148 golfers who enjoyed a pristine day of golf and plenty of fun on the course. Dressed in camouflage, Marine snipers laid in wait along the 16th hole to test the golfers’ skills under pressure, and a Marine-staffed RG33 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle was parked on the 10th hole and used as a backdrop for group pictures. Marine Corp Staff Sergeant and Military Long Drive Champion Jake Taylor thrilled participants with his exhibition of 350+ yard drives on the 15th hole. Over at the 6th hole, Marines gave out water and displayed weaponry. Several foursomes included one of the City’s adopted Marines, which made the day even more memorable for the “civilian” golfers.
A few of the day’s highlights included a hole-in-one shot by Ren Kern on the 155 yard 17th hole. The generous golfer then donated the $500 he pocketed for the feat back to the event. Later in the day, the dinner awards featured a surprise visit by LPGA professionals Natalie Gulbis and Gerina Pillar, who handed out the awards, signed autographs, and took pictures with the awestruck golfers. The event’s raffle and silent auction raised nearly $6,000.
The tournament winners were Jim Farkas, Marilyn DeVitre, Ron Johnson, and Corkie Birdsall (1st);
George Ladwig, Brian Hagerty, Eric Hagerty, and Mark Bostic (2nd); and Brad Shupe, Jeff Higaski, Bill Schellenberg, and Mike Graskins (3rd).
The 2nd Annual “Tee It Up Fore Marines” Golf Tournament would not have been such a grand success without the support of generous sponsors, which included General and Presenting Sponsor – Lennar Homes; Colonel Sponsors – Kaleidoscope and Waste Management; and Major Sponsors – Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, Charles Abbott Associates, Cox Communications, and Lumenyte.
Watch scenes from the exciting tournament by clicking on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzES_J88RDo&list=UUDW1x-q2U4e3a3dj4ZojxDw&index=1&feature=plcp.
