Third annual ChristieCare Cup achieves unprecedented success
The ChristieCare Cup Pro-Am Charity Golf Classic, presented by West Coast Bank for the third consecutive year, continued to make its mark as one of Oregon’s most popular golf events with another successful tournament, held September 9-10th, 2007 at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland.
This year’s Classic – which raised well over $100,000 for ChristieCare programs – included a live auction for the first time, featuring several outstanding travel and entertainment packages. Players, sponsors and guests also enjoyed complimentary shopping for exclusive TaylorMade golf equipment and adidas apparel, as well as the popular pre-tournament cocktail party and dinner, emceed once again by Dave Sullivan. An outstanding array of wines from Stoller Vineyards was poured throughout the festivities.
As an indication of the event’s growing significance, PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb flew in to speak at the dinner and play in the tournament. The professional field also included Pat Huffer, President of the PGA’s Northwest Section, and Bryan Tunstill, the Oregon Chapter President. Pictured above are (l-r) Whitcomb, Tunstill and OPGA Board Member David Porter (Photo: LeeAnn Gauthier).
The ChristieCare Cup is the championship event of the Oregon Professional Golfers Association (OPGA) Pro Am Series, which takes place February through August on golf courses throughout the state. The OPGA raised almost $25,000 for ChristieCare children at the 24 tournaments of the Series.
The ChristieCare Cup is the brainchild of Bryan Tunstill and ChristieCare Board Member Chris Folkestad, who created the tournament as a unique, fun and competitive experience for Oregon’s amateur and professional golfers, while impacting the lives our community’s children and families in crisis.
The West Coast Bank I team of Jeff Bertalotto, Jim Collman, Dennis Rossman and PGA Professional Birk Nelson finished atop the tournament standings with a stellar 127, based on the two best ball scoring format. Nelson, of Diamond Woods Golf Club (Monroe, Oregon), was also the top-shooting professional in the field at 66, followed two strokes back by Sean Arey of Trysting Tree Golf Club (Corvallis, Oregon).
Special thanks to West Coast Bank and all tournament sponsors for their commitment to raising critical awareness and support for ChristieCare children.