Mesa Verde Golf Tournament raises $80,000 for Costa Mesa United; Mensinger honored

Jan. 20, 2016 7:18 PM PT

Steve Mensinger, the Costa Mesa mayor, said he becomes a bit uncomfortable whenever receiving an award or recognition. The community service award from Costa Mesa United he received was something very close to his heart. Mensinger teared up.

Those at the reception for the Mesa Verde Golf Tournament on Monday at Mesa Verde Country Club gave a standing ovation to honor Mensinger for his work with youth sports, which is also very personal for Mensinger.

“I’m just not comfortable receiving things,” Mensinger said. “The first thing I thought was that my wife [Robin] should get the award, or other people. I’m always honored to receive an award like that. Costa Mesa United is not about me. It’s about the concept. Raising the bar. Improvement … I just think of other people who deserve the award besides me. I get credit because I’m the point to the sphere. But there are a lot of other components to the sphere. Everyone should get an award.”

Gordon Bowley, the president of Costa Mesa United, wouldn’t argue that there was multiple people who should receive credit for the 11th annual Mesa Verde Tournament.

An estimated $80,000 was raised for Costa Mesa United, the nonprofit devoted to improving playing fields, swimming pools and other venues for local youth. The money amount was tied for the highest in the event’s history, Bowley said.

C.J. Segerstrom and Sons was the event’s title sponsor and donated $25,000, Bowley said.

Community leaders and local sports supporters gathered to play golf at Mesa Verde Country Club amid a theme named “Game On,” which featured college athletics scenery from programs such as Michigan and USC.

The golf tournament included 33 foursomes. The Red Oak Investment team of Sam Olmstead, Vasko Rizof, Dave Allen and Joe Flanagan won the tournament.

Bowley was pleased with the support and happy that Mensinger was able to be honored during the reception.

“He’s raised over $500,000 in our tournaments over the years,” Bowley said of Mensinger. “In reality, he was responsible for 75% of the people being in the room [at the reception]. He’s really amazing.”