BY CORI BRETT  |  MAY 21, 2014

Score another big win for the Knights of Columbus

Bookmark and Share

The 13th Annual Golf-Fore-Charity event, which was held April 28, 2014, continued to raise the bar for charitable fund-raising events in the Valley. This one just gets better every year. It’s hosted by the Our Lady of Joy Council of the Knights of Columbus. Organizers proudly handed over checks for more than $165,000 to this year’s primary beneficiary, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul plus another 25 worthy charities. Over the history of the event, they have raised more than $1.4 million.

The event has been played at Troon Country Club for the past nine years. Registration exceeded capacity at Troon this year, so additional foursomes were accommodated at Desert Highlands. Most golfers were pleased to play either one of the two highly desirable courses.
A cost of $300 per golfer or $1,200 for a foursome included golfer’s lunch, dinner for two and afternoon program for each golfer’s guest and other amenities. Giveaways included team and individual awards, closest to the pin, longest drive (men and ladies), holes-in-one prizes and a cash raffle.

There was an afternoon wine tasting and in addition, sous chefs from X Tapa Joe’s, the upscale Mexican restaurant, set up a culinary demonstration.

Even tired golfers perked up for the Silent Auction, which featured golf foursomes, golf lessons, golf equipment, restaurant packages, sports events, fine art and computer repair.

During dinner, which was held in the lovely banquet room at Troon, tournament organizers told the audience about the history of the event over the years to present day. St. Vincent de Paul representatives thanked participants for their generosity and for what it meant to the beneficiaries.

The Live Auction commenced with the arrival of the official auctioneer. The items included a week’s stay in condos at various tropical locations, and a Fender guitar autographed by Alice Cooper. Bidding edged up towards $10,000 for one week in a fabulous Tuscany villa, and provided a dramatic finish to what had already been a very full day.