Tourney drives charity’s fundraising

The dry, cool weather Saturday morning made it a good morning for a round of golf at the Newport Beach Golf Course.

But for nine teams playing in the Wild Swing Golf Tournament, the game wasn’t about the score. The third annual tournament benefits Childs-Pace, an organization that provides before and after-school care for low-income students.

“Through events like this, we can build awareness of the program,” said Childs-Pace board president Susan Kopicki.

A team of golfers from Estancia High School took home the day’s top prize, finishing with the lowest overall score. The high school students came out Saturday not only to get in another round of golf, but in support of a teacher who works with Childs-Pace.

Estancia student Marcus Sostak, 17, also won the prize for having the longest drive, at 317 yards.

Although the course isn’t that challenging, the tournament is more about fun than anything else, said Irvine resident Stan Chambers, who has participated since the tournament began three years ago.

“It’s a great cause,” Chambers said. “It’s an opportunity to play with such fine golfing athletes.”

Saturday was David Weinstein’s first time playing in the tournament.

“It’s a fun bunch of guys, nice cause,” Weinstein said.

The golf tournament is the primary fundraiser for Childs-Pace, which has three facilities in Orange County, including one in Costa Mesa, Kopicki said.

“The program is really tremendous,” Kopicki said. “It really helps kids and their families.”

The golf tournament concluded Saturday with a lunch, at which donated gift baskets were given away in an opportunity drawing. dpt.07-kids-golf-1-CPhotoInfoTE1QN48020060507iyv7c2ncMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Bridget Gleason, 16, of Costa Mesa watches her tee shot sail down the second-hole fairway while competing in Saturday’s third annual Wild Swing Golf Classic.