Golf tourney raises funds for chamber, YMCA
COSTA MESA — The Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and the Central Orange Coast YMCA in Newport Beach are gearing up for their annual golf tournament at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Costa Mesa Country Club.
The 14th annual Costa Mesa Chamber Community Golf Classic is the chamber’s main fundraising event
“Because of the economy, we decided to partner with the YMCA,” Ed Fawcett, the chamber’s president and chief executive said of the decision made two years ago.”I thought it would be a great opportunity to fill up the entire tournament, and I still achieved my funding goals in dividing the revenues between us.”
The golf classic’s 132 spots have been filled. Each foursome must donate $1,000 to play.
“It’s tough for one organization to fill up the tournament, but it’s much easier for two because you expand your market segment,” he said. “There’s strong support for the YMCA and strong support for the Chamber of Commerce and the city.”
Players will compete for trophies and titles they can keep until next year.
Officials from the city Planning Commission and the Planning Department, the Costa Mesa Firefighters Assn. and the Care Ambulance Service will compete for the Best of the City trophy.
South Coast Plaza, South Coast Metro Alliance, National University, Nexus Development, Transwestern and Arnel Commercial Properties are gunning for the Best of the Metro title.
Once all players are done, an awards reception will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. In addition to raffles, the chamber and YMA are hosting an auction for four tickets to a Dodgers game with Maury Wills, the first player to steal more than 100 bases in a season.
“People my age grew up idolizing the Dodgers back then, and he played with some of the greatest Dodgers ever,” Fawcett said. “Some of the people who will be there will appreciate it.”
Last year, the golf classic raised about $29,000, which was divided between the chamber and YMCA.
This year, Fawcett said, he hopes to reach about the same amount or more.