First published in the Aug. 6 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
By Alex Leon
Special to the Glendale News-Press
For decades, the Glendale Community College Foundation Golf Classic has strived to support student needs with the help of community partners and that was on display Monday at the annual tournament at the Oakmont Country Club.
Nearly 120 golfers teed it up to raise funds in support of several programs throughout the college, with several community volunteers chipping in to work various holes including a large contingent of GCC coaches representing several sports. Knight Insurance of La Cañada Flintridge served as the grand sponsor and Lexus of Glendale was the presenting sponsor.
New Glendale College Superintendent/President Ryan Cornner and GCC Trustee President Ann Ransford welcomed the golfers before the start of a putting contest sponsored by YMCA of the Foothills and Glendale Schools Area Credit Union.
Student-athletes were also active during the tournament as several members of the Glendale College men’s golf team were on hand to hit a long drives to raise funds for their program needs. At the post-tournament reception, three student-athletes received $1,000 scholarships donated by Mark Trueblood from Trumark Real Estate, Chuck Bistagne from Bistagne Bros. Body Shop and Greg Dobbs representing the family of original tournament organizer Bill Reinhard.
The students who were awarded the scholarships were cross-country and track runner Karla Sanchez-Ruiz, baseball player Aaron Suval and basketball player Sophie Hawkins. All three competed on Western State Conference Ccampionship teams.
“This tournament is a true team effort led by our chairman Mike Davitt,” said GCC Foundation President Rick Dinger. “We had great support from the foundation board and staff and volunteers from the athletic department and the proceeds from the tournament help ensure that the foundation can continue to help new generations of athletes, engineers, teachers, health care workers and more to succeed.”
The golf event raises in excess of $100,000 each year to help support crucial programs at the college, all for the benefit of the students.
Alex Leon is the sports information director for Glendale Community College. He was formerly the sports editor of the Foothill Leader, as well as a reporter and columnist for the Glendale News-Press.
