Angels on the fairway

B.W. COOK

Jessica Erstad, wife of Angels’ first baseman Darin Erstad, stepped

up to the charitable plate last week, hosting the second Jessica

Erstad “Not-So-Serious” Women’s Golf Outing at Dove Canyon Country

Club.

The golfing event attracted 144 women, including a large

contingent of Newport-Mesa players, and raised $60,000 to benefit the

Child Abuse Prevention Center of Orange County. Jessica Erstad was

thrilled with the response.

“This is twice what we raised last year,” she said after joining a

large support group of Angels wives, including Kerrie DaVanon,

Jennifer McPherson, Kelly Paul and Michelle Woods.

Angels alumni wives on the greens were Shelly Gerber, Zetta Grich,

Jennifer Hudler, Kelly Miller and Kathy Verhoeven. Darin Erstad’s

mother, Dorothy Erstad, and Jessica Erstad’s mother, Marge Bettiger,

flew in from North Dakota and Nebraska, respectively, to support

their children.

“I am so grateful to the women, including our moms, who supported

and participated in this event,” Jessica Erstad said.

Kathy McCarrell, executive director of the abuse prevention

center, said, “The women who played in this tournament understand

that child abuse is a serious problem that exists even here in Orange

County and cannot be swept under the rug.

“These ladies understand how empowering it is to know that you are

making a difference in the lives of local children and families.”

One special child from Corona del Mar, Megan Wurzelbacher decided

to spend her 12th birthday volunteering at the tournament. Megan

requested that friends and family donate to the center, instead of

gifting her. Megan’s mother, Kerry Wurzelbacher, serves on the

center’s board. The cause has become a family passion.

Big support for the golf outing came from a host of generous

donors. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Beech Street Corporation;

Boulevards of Travel; David P. Scheppers, CPA; Deloitte; Genske,

Mulder & Co., LLP; and Housing Capital Company were among the

sponsors, to name just a few.

Kent French, production manager for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim,

served as master of ceremonies.

The Child Abuse Prevention Center of Orange County is celebrating

21 years of helping children and families in the community. To learn

more, visit www.BrightFuture4Kids.org.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.