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.