By Michael van Cassell staff writer
Hollister
– YMCA of San Benito County began its Eighth Annual Charity Golf
Tournament with a shotgun start at the Ridgemark Golf Club
Friday.
Hollister – YMCA of San Benito County began its Eighth Annual Charity Golf Tournament with a shotgun start at the Ridgemark Golf Club Friday.
The YMCA hopes to bring in $10,000 in donations for its youth and family programs, said Lou Bettencourt, executive director of the YMCA of SBC. Many of the participants were playing to support the YMCA’s many after-school programs.
“I’m out here to support the YMCA,” said Mike Sanchez, director and school principal of the San Benito County Office of Education. “It’s all about the kids.”
Milgard Windows was again the corporate sponsor. This year was made special with Fremont Investment and Loan donating three computers to “How a Computer Would Change My Life” essay contest winners from Marguerite Maze Middle School, Bettencourt said.
Eighty-six golfers played in the four-person scramble tournament. The entry fee of $150 per person included the green fee, cart, range balls, box lunch and dinner, said Loree Van Bebber, tournament committee chairman.
Committee member David Baumgartner said the turnout was better than expected. Originally, the committee only thought 40 to 50 people would show.
“There’s so much competition,” Baumgartner said. “Every week there is a golf tournament or more.”
Van Bebber said drawing participants is always a challenge, but this year was a good year. Prizes included many golf foursome packages throughout the central coast, a condo in Pacific Grove for a golf getaway and a barrel full of wine.
But most of the golfers were focused on the golf itself. Golfing capabilities ranged from Chuck Obeso-Bradley, vice president of SBC United Way, who boasts a 3.7 index, to players like Sanchez.
“I tee it up and I hit it,” Sanchez said. “And if I find it, I’ll hit it again.”
