Golf: Spreading the wealth on the charity circuit

Richard Dunn

With the generally exquisite month of May and its cool ocean

breezes comes the unofficial kickoff of the charity golf season.

And, two of the most unique tournaments this year on the local circuit

include The Event at Newport Beach Country Club and the Ritz restaurant

and the 19th annual Childhelp USA Celebrity Golf Classic at Pelican Hill

Golf Club.

The Event, a sports celebrity tournament which benefits the John Wayne

Cancer Institute this year and is founded by the Newport Beach

father-and-son team of J.J. and Matt Wiech, changes its beneficiary each

year, because neither father nor son has a strong emotional attachment to

any one particular charity.

“We’ve been fortunate (to be healthy),” Matt Wiech said Wednesday.

Wiech (pronounced WISH) and his father started Wiech Sports

Enterprises two years ago, but The Event they operate gives 100% of its

proceeds to charity. Last year, The Event benefited Children’s Hospital

of Orange County.

Why call it The Event? Well, when you consider golfers receive a

gourmet dinner at the Ritz following 18 holes at Newport Beach, you begin

to see.

An informal fashion show will also be part of the post-golf program at

the Ritz, along with a hosted martini bar for about six hours (bring a

designated driver). Tee prizes are also top of the line, Wiech said.

“It’s not the typical (dinner) buffet and box lunch that bores people

to tears,” he said. “I think we’re adding something different to a golf

tournament that golfers can’t get at other golf tournaments.”

The cost per person is $500. The Event is May 21. A wide range of

current and former sports stars are scheduled to play, including Dennis

Harrah, Fred Lynn, Mike Penberthy and Vida Blue. Details: (949) 683-9474.

Former All-Pro Rams center Rich Saul, a recent cancer survivor, is

hosting the Childhelp USA Celebrity Golf Classic at Pelican Hill on May

16.

The Orange County Chapter of Childhelp USA supports abused children.

Saul believes many abused children “will benefit from the financial

proceeds of the tournament.”

Following an 11 a.m. shotgun start, golfers will be treated at the

19th hole at Pelican Hill, a.k.a. The Clubhouse, for cocktails, dinner,

silent auction, live auction and awards. Details: (949) 759-5100.

The sixth annual We Care Golf Tournament, hosted by the Tax &

Financial Group, is May 21 at Pelican Hill Golf Club to benefit the

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County, which grants wishes to children

who suffer from life-threatening illnesses.

The Tax & Financial Group adopted Make-A-Wish as its main charity

after being moved by heartwarming stories from children. All proceeds of

the tournament go directly to the fulfillment of granting wishes.

In the past five years, the tournament has raised nearly $330,000 to

grant 80 wishes. Details: (949) 223-8100.

Newport Beach Country Club is hosting a U.S. Open local qualifying for

the second year in a row.

The 101st U.S. Open Championship is June 14-17 at Southern Hills

Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.

The local qualifying at Newport Beach is 18 holes on May 16, with the

Southern California Golf Association operating the event. Newport Beach

is one of seven Southland courses to be used during qualifying week (May

14-21) by the SCGA.

Spring and summer junior golf sessions are underway through the city

of Costa Mesa at the Costa Mesa Golf & Country Club. Registration is $50

per four-week session, which includes instruction (maximum of 10 juniors

per instructor), range balls and shirt. Details: (714) 846-6798.

Richard Dunn’s golf column appears every Thursday.