Summer Golf Classic


Hello Everyone,

I wish to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to all our generous sponsors, loyal participants and very special guests for contributing to a successful event, benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Desert Island Country Club embraced our event to host our 8th Annual Summer Golf Classic. From their Ownership, General Manager, PGA Golf Professionals and Staff, they were all incredibly welcoming by their professionalism and excellent service to ensure that our fundraising golf event was a huge success.

I was honored to meet with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Senior Regional Development Director, Odette Gutierrez on June 16th. After providing Odette with an overview of our event, she was overwhelmed when I presented her with our donation of $28,000.00 !!!

The following is a brief recap of the golf tournament…
  • • We had 104 golfers, which is perfect for the speed of play and weather conditions
  • • There were 26 foursomes… of those, 18 were from a sponsorship of various levels
  • • Logo Ball Team Awards:

Score Group
1st Place 56 Primo's Tickets: Julio Ibarra Sr., Julian Ibarra, Julio Ibarra Jr. and Matthew Ibarra
2nd Place 57 United Rentals: Group 5B - J. J. Koon, Martin Flores, Eric Gonzales and Doug Laban
3rd Place 57 Trench Shoring: Group 10A - Roger Schwarz, Jonathan Ryder, Troy "TJ" Junkin and Kyle Corbin
  • • Men's Longest Drive (Hole #6) - Marty Mateus (unknown distance)
  • • Women's Longest Drive (Hole #6) - No Winner
  • • Men's Closest to the Pin (Hole #12) - Dennis Parkhouse, 18'
  • • Women's Closest to the Pin (Hole #5) - Sue Stewart, 24' 9"
  • • Straightest Drive (Hole #10) - Sue Stewart, "Directly on the Line"
  • • Hole In One Contest (Hole #15) "Sorry… No Winner"

  • • Appreciation to all the Grand Prize Donors: #1 - Scotty Cameron Putter, Donated by Art Gutierrez ; #2 - PXG Set of Irons, Donated by Erman Retirement Advisory; and #3 - Samsung 75" LED 4K Crystal UHD Smart TV, Donated by Lou Gutierrez, Mikey Gutierrez, Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez, James Horejs, Ernie Trias, Tim Fox, Mike Strohecker and Howie Kim

    • I have scheduled a meeting with the GM and Head and Assistant Golf Professional at Desert Island Country Club to discuss the possibility of hosting the 2023 Summer Golf Classic at their beautiful venue. We will also evaluate what went well and the areas we can improve on for next year. I welcome your feedback regarding this year's event as well.

    I wish to share a significant update regarding St. Jude from my meeting with Odette Gutierrez...

    "It was announced earlier this month in the journal Nature Communications that St. Jude scientists have developed a computational tool that could help identify whey some people are prone to rare diseases, from multiple cancers to neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. Identifying the genetic variants that contribute to rare diseases may increase understanding disease development. This is all very exciting because that tool may offer potential new avenues for therapy. Therapies that will save more lives everywhere, because of the efforts of St. Jude to freely share development with researchers around the world".

    Again, I am extremely appreciative of everyone's generosity and commitment in supporting St Jude Children's Research Hospital.

    Special thanks to the entire staff at Desert Island Country Club and to Babe's BBQ and Brewery for their refreshing beverages. I also appreciate the hard work and effort from all our volunteers: Sarah Russell and Lisa Ibay (Registration), Yolanda Vasquez, Laura Van Malsen and Angela Frost (50/50 Board, Opportunity Tickets and Silent Auction), Elias Ibay (Grandpa's Assistant), Jason Galarze and Alberto & Nataniel Rendon-Santiago (Logistics), Kurt and Patsy Bauman (Hole in One Witnesses), Joe Zorn (Photographer) and last but not least... Beto Arteaga (Drone Video & Shot Tracer Engineer and Website Director).

    If you have any questions, please call my cell phone (760) 774-3233.

    Thank You!

Rich Ibay
Tournament Chairperson