Fun meets work at Golf Classic
Foundation members of Glendale Community College are still at work, even when the semester is over. But each year they combine fun and work for their annual Golf Classic. This year marks the 29th year of golfing for dollars. On June 13, more than 130 golfers hit the links at the Oakmont Country Club.
Foundation member and Golf Classic Chairman Mike Haney scored a hole in one with his pick of hardworking committee members. They include Foundation Executive Director Lisa Brooks, Pat Crouch, John and Michael Davitt, Rick Dinger, Ruben Esparza, Barbara Jordan, Mike Kulpa, Alex Leon, Mark Richardson, Eris Sahakians and Jim Sartoris.
Coaches from the college men’s and women’s golf teams were on hand to offer tips. Coach Greg Osbourne was kept busy with golfers who needed a few extra “atta boys.” One of the golfers confident enough to go it on his own was Chuck Bistagne, son of community volunteer Wanda Bistagne. The Bistagne Brothers funded a student scholarship.
For the second straight year, BB&T Knight Insurance Services was the Grand Sponsor, represented by Glendale resident Manny Mashoud. After a day of golfing, Mashoud and other participants drove their golf carts to the club, looking forward to an evening of more activities. A buffet dinner of prime rib with all the trimmings fed the hungry golfers and their guests.
A raffle and live auction followed dinner. The “Sports Extravaganza” package was the most popular. It was full of a 42-inch flat-screen TV, Lakers tickets for the 2011-12 season, Kings tickets in a luxury box, Dodgers tickets and four USC tickets with parking. The total value was $2,500. Haney, Tom Rosa, Liz Chai-Chang, Mike Davitt and Chet Williams were the generous donors of the package.
According to Brooks, the expected gross from the Golf Classic will be more than $100,000. Funds raised will help student athletes and other students through scholarships and campus programs that help students succeed.
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Glendale Community College was also represented at the Glendale Chamber of Commerce “Celebrating the Future” 2011 Gala. The Embassy Suites Diamond Ballroom was the sparkling setting for some 200 chamber members and their guests on June 17.
The gala honored incoming Chamber President Jeanne Brewer and the 2010-11 officers and directors. Brewer is the general manager of Acura of Glendale. Gala attendees also toasted outgoing President Rick Lemmo and his retiring board members. Lemmo is senior vice president of community relations for Caruso Affiliated. He was president of the chamber during its 100th anniversary. Proud of one of his accomplishments, Lemmo described the time capsule buried at City Hall’s Perkins Plaza. One of the items contained in the capsule is an iPhone donated by AT&T.
Glendale Community College was represented with its own table. The college’s Professional Development Center, a participant in the college’s Golf Classic, made their presence known by raucously blowing noise-makers celebrating the birthday of their table mate, Board of Trustees member Tony Tartaglia. A bottle of champagne was a welcome birthday gift.
Tartaglia’s table mates included college Board of Trustees member and Glendale resident Ann Ransford, Glendale resident Karen Ferkich, vice president of the college’s Professional Development Center, and La Crescenta resident Kim Holland, executive director of professional development. The college frequently partners with local businesses to train their employers in updating their skills, supported by funds come from the state. The Professional Development Center also works with businesses who are members of the chamber.
Lemmo deftly handled emcee duties. He introduced more Glendale VIPs on hand including installing officer Mayor Laura Friedman, former Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian, Councilman Frank Quintero, City manager Jim Starbird, new City Atty. Mike Garcia, Glendale Fire Chief Harold Scoggins and college Board of Trustees President Anita Gabrielian.
Following the program was dinner and dancing to Full Motion Band.