Fore Fairview’s friends

golf featureThe Costa Mesa Men’s Club is hosting its annual Steve Pappas golf tournament this weekend, which benefits the Fairview Developmental Center.Through 26 years of working at the Fairview Developmental Center, Sandy Gonzalez has become part of a family, as she describes it.

The nearly 650 residents -- all of whom are developmentally disabled in one form or another -- and staff have grown close to resemble a tight-knit group.

Gonzalez, the assistant to the executive director, and the rest of the staff take all the measures to ensure that the clients try and lead as normal lives as possible, considering the circumstances.

The residents frequently participate in activities, art projects and social gatherings.

“It helps their self-esteem,” Gonzalez said. “They enjoy recreation and fun exactly like we do. Imagine how boring life would be without all of the social events and things like that.”

By now, you’re probably wondering just where exactly golf ties in with this story.

The answer is simple.