Golf Classic a success

Hamlet Nalbandyan

OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB -- For 140 would-be golfers, Monday was a day to

meet a golfing legend in PGA Hall of Famer Paul Runyan. But it was also a

day to lend out a helping hand.

The 11th annual “Play for the Children” Paul Runyan Orthopaedic

Hospital Golf Classic was held at the Oakmont Country Club, and the day

was a success.

The event was held in order to raise money for the Orthopaedic

Hospital and raise awareness for the hospital’s various programs.

According to Dominic Friesen, a senior account executive for Agnes

Huff Communications Group -- the public relations firm for the Classic --

approximately $85,000 was raised.

“This is one of the many fundraisers that we do,” said Eloise Helwig,

the president of the Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation.

“Mr. Runyan is an internationally-known golfer, and he’s always

supported the hospital and it’s great having him.”

In 1992, the Classic was renamed in honor of Runyan. The 91-year old,

who was inducted into the PGA Hall of Fame in 1959 and the World Golf

Hall of Fame in 1990, has won 28 career PGA tour victories, including two

PGA Championships, coming in 1934 and 1938. He was the leading money

winner on the tour in 1934.

Runyan, who is a teaching pro with the Callaway Golf Company and

Arroyo Seco Municipal golf course in South Pasadena, gave full shot and

short game lessons to the participants before the day went into full

swing.

The golfers then played 17 holes of golf and participated in various

golf-related contests.

“My wife (Berniece) has been working with the hospital for over 30

years, and it’s because of her that I’m involved,” Runyan said.

“The hospital does a lot for children, and I’m honored to be a part of

it. This is my chance to do something on a personal level, rather than a

financial level.”

The Orthopaedic Hospital is a private, non-profit institution that was

founded in 1922. It originally treated just children with orthopaedic

problems, but now it is a nationally recognized orthopaedic referral

center that manages both children and adults.

“This tournament raises money for children with orthopaedic disorders,

who do not have the financial means to pay for the care. It also helps

for further research,” said James Luck, the president of the hospital.