Golf:

One of the more enjoyable golf course promotions at a charity event I have ever seen is the golf ball drop.

It is not a cheap promotion, which is why it is not done that much, but when the money is spent for the event, it’s a pretty cool sight to see.

The recent 10th annual Tommy Bahama Pacific Coast Classic charity golf tournament employed such a promotion and it was pretty successful. Hosted by the Tommy Bahama Grille and The Lighthouse Guild and benefiting Olive Crest, an approximate 2,000 golf balls were bought.

It’s a pretty simple premise. People buy golf balls for $10 and then they are loaded into buckets and put on a helicopter. The helicopter flies over a golf hole at about 250 feet in the air and the balls are dropped from the helicopter. The ball that is closest to the hole wins.

“Last year, the Hole-in-One Ball Drop raised $20,000 for Olive Crest,” says Sandy Loubert, president of The Lighthouse Guild. “And yet it only costs $10 to purchase a numbered ball and be eligible to win one of our great prizes. I’d say that’s a pretty good return on investment.”

The prizes were pretty impressive. First prize was $5,000; second prize was two round trip tickets on Continental Airlines; third prize was a night’s stay at a luxury hotel; and fourth and fifth prizes were $200 gift certificates to Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille.

On the day of the tournament after the golfers had finished, a helicopter with the balls flew over Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point. The helicopter hovering above the No. 2 green dropped the balls.

“You don’t even have to be present to win,” said Scott Perry, general manager of Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille. “Although who would want to miss the sight of 2,000 golf balls dropping from a hovering helicopter? We can’t thank Frank of Super Sports Golf & Recreation Center and Yuki of Hoover Practice Center-Golf Course enough for donating their products and services to this ingenious fundraiser.”

Getting the balls donated is the key. The cost would be too prohibitive if the tournament had to buy the balls.

Brax and Lynn Cutchin were the winners of the grand prize.

The tournament is in its 10th year and is one of the most successful fundraisers for the Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused Children. Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2008, Olive Crest Homes & Services for Abused Children has been a leader in providing care for abused, abandoned and severely neglected children. The facility continues to promote the safety and wellness of children and families through innovative programs including specialized education, foster and adoption, family preservation, and residential homes.

The tournament plans on continuing the ball drop and hopes to double the amount of balls purchased next year. It seems to be an effective fundraising tool and one that will hopefully bring more money to Olive Crest.

JOHN REGER’S golf column appears Thursdays. He may be reached by e-mail at nolimepublishing@aol.com or by regular mail at P.O. Box 2984, Seal Beach, CA 907040.