By Madeline Zuckerman
Desert Arc’s 14th Annual Golf Classic broke all records and was the most successful golf tournament fundraiser for Desert Arc in the event’s 14 year history!
“Since we started hosting this special event 14 years ago, we had by far the most players ever with a field of 33 foursomes,” said Richard Balocco, President/CEO of Desert Arc. “The weather was spectacular and Eagle Falls Golf Course offered a great experience for every golfer, novice to veteran. It was a great day for everyone involved in supporting Desert Arc’s mission in service to people with disabilities.”
It was an absolutely glorious day on the links at the renowned Eagle Falls Golf Course at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino as a full flight of golfers and over 200 dinner guests participated in this year’s highly-acclaimed Golf Classic. Raising a record $80,000 to support Desert Arc’s life-impacting programs and services for people with disabilities, all guests in attendance were there for all the right reasons – to support Desert Arc’s mission of enhancing the quality of life and creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The camaraderie of guests was evident all day long, with many of the golfers returning year after year to play in this Annual Tournament.
Co-emceed by Fantasy Springs’ Jay Chesterton and Brooke Beare, Emmy® Award-Winning Journalist, the event featured a scrumptious BBQ Lunch, followed by a Shotgun Scramble, Cocktail Reception, and Golf Awards Banquet Dinner, prepared by Fantasy Springs’ infamous Chef Freddy, featuring his scrumptious meatballs and sausages, Hawaiian ahi tuna poke salad, BLT chopped salad, roasted eggplant pasta salad, slow-roasted sirloin of beef, and pan roasted Icelandic salmon.
“We are grateful to the 200 people who attended this year’s Annual Golf Classic for their generous contributions to our cause, and to the Hospitality and Golf Team at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino for a wonderful event,” said Nancy Singer, Event Chair, Desert Arc Board Member, and Past Desert Arc Board Chair. “Chef Freddy once again prepared an amazing BBQ lunch and buffet awards banquet for our guests. A special thanks goes to the companies who donated 10 incredible raffle prizes, including Hot Purple Energy’s donation of two electric bikes. We were able to raise $18,450 from the raffle drawing alone. It was a celebratory occasion for Desert Arc’s 65th anniversary year.”
The coveted Golf Awards went to:
First Place Team: Smoking Guns – Greg Snider, Justin Doyle, Tom Breitfeller, and Lou Gonzalez.
Second Place Team: Seecon Properties – John Tate, Fabian Granados, Brandon Petelski, and Kirby Pert. *This team donated their winnings back to Desert Arc!
Women’s Closest To The Pin: Christine Bustos
Women’s Longest Drive: Nancy Callan-Houtz
Men’s Longest Drive: Casey Scott
Men’s Closest To The Pin: Scott Matas
Raffle prize winners included Dennis Parker, who donated his raffle prize back to Desert Arc, Randy Nelson, Bob Smith, Bob Schwarz, Camilla Zanatta-Rodriquez, Lisette Arellano, Don Rintoul, Terri Dobson, Rick Johnson, and Casey Scott.
Major event sponsors were Darlene Beneto, Dinner Sponsor; Hot Purple Energy, Registration Table Sponsor; Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services and Nancy Singer, Golf Cart Sponsors; Richard Balocco, Banc of California, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation, Mind & Mill, SA Recycling Coachella, SA Recycling Thousand Palms, Lori & Aubrey Serfling, and Doug Watson of Strategy Innovation Co., Greens Sponsors; Desert Arc Board of Directors, Boelzner & Associates, City of Indian Wells, Coachella Valley Accounting & Auditing, Decorator Depot, Don Diego’s, Ray Gosnell – Yucca Valley, Mario’s Italian Café, Mark Duebner Design, David E. Scott, Signature Designs, Ronald A, Stewart, PhD, Tee Sponsors.
Event Media Sponsors included DESERT SUN & LOCALiQ, Presenting Newspaper & Digital Media Sponsor; KESQ News Channel 3, Exclusive TV Media Sponsor; ALPHA MEDIA-Palm Springs, Exclusive Radio Media Sponsor; and DESERT GOLF & TENNIS MAGAZINE, Exclusive Magazine Media Sponsor.
Please Save The Date of April 7, 2025 to support Desert Arc’s 15th Annual Golf Classic, and Desert Arc’s 7th Annual Champions of Change Recognition Awards Luncheon on February 6, 2025.
For information on Desert Arc please call 760-404-1368 or visit www.desertarc.org
