BARBARA TAYLOR
Blog: April-May 2013
Tee Divas & Tee Dudes Golf Club
Links Fore Lupus
I promised a blog on the Tee Divas & Tee Dudes Charity Golf Tournament, benefiting The Center for Lupus Care, so here it goes. First let me shout WOW !!!
What an Exciting , Inspiring, Stimulating and good crazy day I had. Nope, I didn’t play in the tournament; remember I was there to keep my promise to write a blog, to show my love, support and to do what ever I could to ensure the success of this worth while event. Oh, please excuse me, I had a need to get that shout-out, and my testimony out of my system, so that I could continue.
On April 20, 2013 The Tee Divas & Tee Dudes sponsored a golf tournament and helicopter ball drop at the lovely Tijeras Creek Golf course, located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Being a new member of this exciting golf club, and not participating in any of their tournaments, as a golfer or non-golfer, I really didn’t know what to expect, but I can truly say with conviction that without a doubt this “Golf tournament & Helicopter ball drop” was unique, amazing, well planned and well executed. Bravo !!! to the organizers.
The Chairs of this successful golf classic event, were Doris LaCour and Gloria Howard, with the help of 13 strong and dedicated committee members.
(Above: golfers watch in excitement during helicopter golf ball drop)
There were approximately 127 people in attendance who came out in support of the event, this figure includes 104 paid golfers, 46 women and 58 men, some were Tee Divas & Tee Dudes, and others were Tee Divas & Tee Dudes for the day.
Others included in this figure were: (pictured left) Guest speaker Liz Shaw-Stabler, Founder and Executive director of the Center For Lupus Care, Inc. along with 3 of her outstanding guest, and all other non-golfers that attended came out to show love and support for this event , and to see how in the heck this “Helicopter Ball Drop” was going to look like.
Okay Readers, if you were not one of the lucky ones that was fortunate enough to have attended this golf tournament extravaganza, let me attempt to tell you how this “Helicopter golf ball drop” worked, ‘cause I know by now you’re curious:
Each member of the club was asked to sell ball drop tickets (raffle tickets) @ $10.00 per ticket, the numbers on the ticket that was purchased was written on a golf ball, and placed in a bucket. The helicopter pilot came to the golf course, picked up the buckets and placed them in the helicopter.
The pilot then hovered over the 10th hole and began dropping the balls from the bucket, over the 10th hole. The objective was that the ball that went into the hole, or the ball that came closest to the hole, was the winner.
(Photo L-R: Golf Ball Drop Officials Marguerite Waddy and Rodney Gants)
There were 2 retired sheriffs (club members) dressed in uniform, that officiated the ball drop process.
Reportedly there were 2 winners, winning $1,100,00 each. In addition the club member that sold the most ball drop tickets also won a prize. Congratulations to club member Annette Henry who sold $2,300 ball drop tickets and won $500.00 for her efforts!!!
Well, since I didn’t win the most sales prize, my a’ah moment came when chasing the helicopter, with the winds from the helicopter blades blowing in my face, and had my hair looking like Phyllis Diller or Don King, all of this in my attempt to take decent pictures of this helicopter ball drop to share with you.
However, the Tee Divas-Dudes officials would not allow me to get to much closer. Taking pictures of the Tee Divas & Tee Dudes all dressed in their orange golf shirts, and invited guest standing on the club house balcony waving at me taking their pictures, and waving at the helicopter pilot, was also an exhilarating blast for me!
(Photo L-R: Michael Walker, Donna Castron, Jim May)
Initially my plan was to report on the tournament’s golf winners, which were many, because it was broken down into many categories. So I said to myself “Barbara you know what” why bother because they were ALL winners— these golfers came out with love in their hearts, paid their money, and had a great time, all in support of the Center for Lupus Care.
(Photo left: Winner Penny Cunningham)
Following the golf ball drop all golfers and non-golfers stayed on to enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch, including amazing desserts, (again I did not go back for a second round of food), and for the presentation of tournament, opportunity drawing prizes, and the pleasure of our guest speaker Liz Shaw-Stabler, who spoke on; what is Lupus, the symptoms, the effects, and the mystery of this disease.
I spoke with one of the chairperson, Doris LaCour, Founder/President of the Tee Divas & Tee Dudes Golf Club and I asked her to summarize in her own words how she and the organizers perceive the success of the tournament, and how they came-up with the idea of the ball drop. Here is her response:
“I truly believe that there were several reasons for the success of our tournament. First, the overwhelming love, dedication and commitment of our members and sponsors. Second, the prizes for selling the most tickets for the Helicopter Ball Drop— which became very exciting and fun. Lastly, I had the most hard-working committee in the world…they made it happen! I love them to death.”
How we came up with the Ball Drop Idea? Well, the idea was given to us from Tijeras Creek Golf Club, to whom we give Kiddos!!!!
After reading the Founder/President’s success statement it was apparent to me as to why this Ball Drop Charity golf tournament was able to raise $15,000 for the Center of Lupus Care, Inc. The Tee Divas & Tee Dudes continue to find ways to give back to the community; and this my friends is one of the reasons why I, Barbara Taylor, am so very proud and happy to be a Tee Diva.
And so it is …until next time,
Barbara Taylor
Send Barbara A Comment!
ABOUT BARBARA TAYLOR
In April 2011, after taking a six-year hiatus from golf lessons, Taylor decided to return to the world of Golf. When she first took lessons, she found that the transition from playing a “B” level of tennis to learning to play golf was boring, and slow as hell, and as perilous as going over Niagara Falls without a barrel. So, she made a decision (that she thought was wise at the time) to give it up! Taylor’s returned to the game came with a whole new prospective, purpose, respect, and attitude…. And, yes maturity.
Unlike when she was playing tennis, Taylor had no desire to get caught-up in the competitive frenzy. She is into golf for the shear love of the fun, travel and social interactions that she has found so delightful in the golf environment and game. However, she does want to be taken seriously.
Taylor is currently being coached by the legendary Alton Duhon, at the renown Chester Washington Golf Course, in Los Angeles. The course is also the California Golf Home of Dr. Charles Sifford.
