Mesa Verde to host Mesa United

Mesa Verde Country Club will play host to the Mesa Verde Golf

Classic, benefiting the nonprofit Costa Mesa United and its push to

add sports facilities to both Costa Mesa and Estancia high schools,

on Monday.

The Daily Pilot’s own Ned Bondie, along with Gordon Bowley, are

orchestrating the tournament, filled to capacity with 126 registered

players.

The tournament is expected to raise between $50,000 and $60,000,

Bondie said. Mesa Verde is generously donating its course, as well as

a fair amount of food, for Monday’s event.

All proceeds from the event will help Costa Mesa United, a team of

business leaders, local politicians, alumni of Costa Mesa and

Estancia, along with community leaders, move a step closer to its

goal of constructing two sports facilities at the two schools.

A 50-meter lighted pool with eight lanes, part of the swimming

complex at Costa Mesa, and an outdoor multi-sport lighted stadium

with seating for more than 2,500 spectators at Estancia, are

proposed. The idea is for students from each campus, along with

community members, to all have access to the facilities once they are

completed, expected in 2007.

To date, $2.7 million has been received in either cash or signed

pledges. Campaign officials are seeking one-, three-, and five-year

pledges to complete the remaining fundraising goal of $7.25 million.

Last month, Costa Mesa City Council member Katrina Foley, who

chairs Costa Mesa United’s Corporate Sponsorship Subcommittee,

secured a $5,000 donation from Wells Fargo to help fundraising

efforts.

Groundbreaking is proposed to begin later this year, once 75% of

the funds are paid or pledged for the projects, Foley said in an

e-mail sent two weeks ago.

Visit www.costamesaunited.com or call (714) 284-9234 for more

information.