Golfers come from afar to support annual golf tournament
“It’s always a fun time coming out here and playing in this tournament. We get to see everybody we know; the tournament runs smooth, and it’s just a good time all the way around.” Henry Garewal
HOLTVILLE — For the 12th consecutive year, the John A. Kirchenbauer Memorial Golf Tournament received support from not only locals, but a handful of golfers who traveled several miles to take part in the annual fundraiser at the Imperial Palms Resort here on Saturday.
Participants traveled from Fresno, San Diego and Las Vegas to take part in the event that featured the Rabobank $1 Million Shootout, giving one golfer the chance to win $1 million if they could sink a hole-inone on Hole No. 11.
Jeff Magin, 63, retired principal at Holtville High School, found himself on the tee-box with the chance to win $1 million after winning the tournament’s closest-to-the-pin competition.
As the wind kicked up on the course, Magin’s $1 million shot came up short and to the right of the green.
“I wasn’t nervous at all actually. I was more mad at myself for hitting such a poor shot,” said Magin, who retired from Holtville High School in 2016.
The tournament is a fundraiser for the Holtville High Green and Gold Hall of Fame Committee, which uses the funds to award scholarships to graduating high school seniors and to support youth activities throughout the Imperial Valley.
“It’s really great to see all the people with ties to the Valley come back and support activities like this,” said Murray Anderson, golf tournament coordinator for the Green and Gold Hall of Fame. “It’s one of the things that makes being from the Valley great. We get great local support, but those who have moved away still remember us and come back to support us.”
Henry and Donna Garewal drove from Fresno to take part in the event.
“It’s always a fun time coming out here and playing in this tournament,” Henry said. “We get to see everybody we know; the tournament runs smooth, and it’s just a good time all the way around.”
Randy Shelton won the men’s long-drive competition on Hole No. 10, while Marlena Rascon won the women’s competition.
Taking first place at the event was the team of Les Rogers, Steven Rogers, Mike Castro and Gilbert Moreno. The second-place team was made up of Jeff Magin, Mick Magin, Craig Blek and Greg Brown, while third place went to Kevin Kerns, Mike Omlin, John Edwards and Alex Wells.