Swinging For Student Scholarships

Great golfers play to their strengths, and that is what the University of La Verne will do as well at its annual golf tournament on June 6 at Industry Hills Golf Club.

The tournament, which for the first time will be played on two courses, is one of the University’s major fundraisers to support student scholarships. In the past 20 years, the event has raised more than $1 million, and this year, the Special Events crew in the University Advancement office will try to maximize dollars raised through teamwork.

“We wanted to open up the tournament to all of the university,” said Bianca Romero, La Verne’s Director of Special Events. “There are other golf tournaments put on by various programs on campus, but they’re done on a much different scale. Working with Athletics, we now have the golf, baseball and football teams joining in with us. They liked the idea that they could raise maybe $10,000 in one event — a level they have previously not been able to reach.”

Such cooperation has grown thanks to a new University Advancement Partnership program that creates fundraising and publicity opportunities for every department on campus. In an attempt to create additional appeal, this year’s tournament format will let participants designate how their donation will be used. Players may apply their gift to the College of Arts & Sciences, LaFetra College of Education, College of Business and Public Management, College of Law, Athletics, the Athletic Director’s Discretionary Fund or the University Scholarship Fund.

The daylong event begins with 9 a.m. registration, followed by a putting contest at 9:30 a.m. and an 11 a.m. shotgun start/lunch. A cocktail reception onsite at Pacific Palms Resort is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., with dinner, raffle and awards at 5:30 p.m.

The Industry Hills Golf Club opened in 1976 and has long been known as one of the most scenic and well-conditioned golf facilities open to the public in Southern California. Situated majestically on a hilltop overlooking the entire San Gabriel Valley and downtown Los Angeles, and with spectacular views of the mountains, the facility recently underwent a $20 million renovation, making it one of the premier golf resort properties in the country.

Entry deadline is May 23.