CLASS Fund tees off with annual golf tournament

Marty McPhee of Park West Landscape, left, and Andy Bowden of Land Concern, helped to facilitate the 23rd annual CLASS Fund golf tournament at Newport Beach Country Club, which raised about $25,000 for landscape architecture student scholarships.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—There’s probably not a better way to get members of the green industry together than having a golf tournament. On June 13 CLASS Fund (California Landscape Architecture Student Scholarships) hosted its 23rd annual golf tournament at Newport Beach Country Club.

Proceeds from the event went into the CLASS Fund account which raises $25,000 annually for scholarships for landscape architecture students at the five programs in the state: UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The endowment has ballooned up to $680,00, which each year helps 15 students.

With the cost of playing in the tournament at $185 for early bird specials, up to $200 per player, CLASS Fund was hoping to raise $25,000. The day included lunch, dinner, a round of golf, use of the golf cart and beverages.

“I’ve played in this tournament for 15 years and I’m still waiting to improve,” said Javier Cuellar of Toro and Irritrol. “We’re usually consistent and come in around par, which isn’t so good for this format.” In a shotgun scramble format the best ball is used from a foursome for each shot. At least three drives need to be used from each of the four players.

Ray Bolles of Park West Landscape worked on his putting touch prior to playing in the 23rd annual CLASS Fund golf tournament held June 13 at Newport Beach Country Club.

Mark Pagano of d.d. Pagano Inc. has played in the tournament for the past nine or 10 years. He said he likes to develop his business, personal relationships and team building.

The tournament attracts several professionals in the green industry from landscape contractors and landscape architects, golf course superintendents to installation contractors, from irrigation consultants to suppliers and wholesalers. “Our goal is to raise about $25,00 for student scholarships and bring the green industry together,” said Marty McPhee, chairman for CLASS Fund. “Probably about one-third of the players are landscape architects. This is our biggest event of the year and we get a lot of help from CLIC (California Landscape Irrigation Council).”

Andy Bowden, a landscape architect and CLASS Fund board member, said all participants in the tournament got a chance to purchase Mulligan tickets for an opportunity drawing. Some of the prizes in the drawing included a personal DVD player, palm pilot, fishing rod and reel, digital camera, golf clubs and golf bag.

“We also had a silent auction with all the items donated from different companies,” said Bowden. “That included a round of golf at Newport Beach Country Club, another at Strawberry Farms and another at Glen Annie Golf Course. We also had four tickets donated for a San Diego Padres baseball game.”