By Madeline Zuckerman
PHOTOS BY LAURA HALL & REGGIE ROVER SPERBER
Played on an absolutely glorious day on the links, Xavier College Preparatory High School hosted its 16th Annual Fairway To Heaven Golf Tournament at the Classic Club in Palm Desert recently. This year’s tournament, themed Cheeseburger in PARadise, was completely sold out with 140 golfers participating, and 150 guests attending the always fun Golf Awards cocktail party. This highly-anticipated event raised much-needed funds for the school’s Athletics Department.
Festivities commenced with registration at 8:00 am, which included a Putting Contest and Shotgun Start at 10:00 am. The Golf Awards Cocktail Party kicked off at 3:00 pm, featuring exclusive silent and live auction items including a Day at the Del Mar Races in the Directors Room, Rose Bowl tickets to a concert, PBR Rodeo tickets at Acrisure Arena, Cirque du Soleil tickets at Acrisure Arena, CV Firebirds Ice Hockey tickets at Acrisure Arena, a Golf Foursome at The Quarry, a Golf Foursome at The Springs, a four night stay at an exclusive private home in Ennis, Montana, and a unique Behind The Scenes Tour and Private Tasting at Chick-fil-A in Palm Desert.
“Through the Xavier Golf Tournament, all participants – – players, volunteers, the Classic Club Team – – help provide vital resources for our Athletic Programs,” said DoeDee Rover, Xavier Vice President. “Their generosity strengthens our ability to educate young men and women of faith, leadership, and excellence. These incredible people are more than just golfers and event sponsors – – they are dedicated supporters of Xavier’s mission. Together, we are shaping the future by empowering these fabulous students we call Saints.”
The camaraderie of all guests was evident all day long, with many of the same golfers, as well as, corporate sponsors returning year after year to support Xavier and play the renowned Classic Club Course.
“Our Golf Tournament is one of my favorite events because our athletes have the chance to meet those who support them, and our supporters are able to build connections with those they support,” said Andrew Clark, Xavier’s Athletic Director. “As the Athletic Director, I am truly grateful for all the love and support that our community gives our students year after year.”
Golf Awards went to: Women’s First Place was won by Lyssa Vermillion, Christie Sander, Melodie Hixson, and Raela Guernsey. Men’s First Place was won by Mike Walton, Matt Jiggins, Jonathan Gist, and Mark Campbell. Speed Hole was won by Tony Fimbres. Women’s Closest to the Pin was won by Hannah Tschetter. Men’s Closest to the Pin was won by Matt Clark. Women’s Longest Drive was won by Mei Rosenblatt. Men’s Longest Drive was won by Tony Fimbres. Second Place was won by Omar Rodriquez, Omar Rodriquez, Jr., Jose Franco, and Jose Escamilla. Third Place went to Tony Fimbres, Juan Delara, and Steven Hernandez.
The prizes for each player of the men’s and women’s first place foursomes were light pink and seafoam green acoustic guitars, complete with custom first place wooden plaques adorning each guitar, which were created by the Xavier Fab Lab students.
This year’s event sponsors included 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians, 29 Brews, Buzzbox, Palm Springs Motors, Chavez/Jessup, the Shalhoub Family McDonald’s, UPS, the De Klotz Family, Coachella Valley Prosthetics and Orthotics, Weingarten & Hough, Solis Wealth Management, Wealth Consulting Group, Champion HVAC, Foster-Gardner, Inc., L & L Door and Window, Craig Conley Real Estate, Sperber and Sons Construction, The Vermillion Family, Chick Fil A Palm Desert, BSN, Goody’s Café, Efficient Air, and Taylor Made.
“It was a wonderful community celebration, a chance for us to champion our Saints and all of their passions and pursuits,” said Mark Campbell, President of Xavier. “This is an event the Xavier community looks forward to each year, and we cannot wait to have everyone back in 2026 for the 17th Annual Xavier College Prep Fairway To Heaven Golf Tournament!”
For information on Xavier College Preparatory High School please call 760-
Or visit www.xavierprep.org
