Donnelly Tournament Raises $11,000 for Charity

Byline: The Log Staff

Donnelly Tournament Raises $11,000 for Charity

SAN DIEGO — A total of 110 players competed in this year’s Dale Donnelly Memorial Golf Tournament at Riverwalk Golf Club in Mission Valley, raising $11,000 for the Rady Children’s Hospital Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders’ Hematology/Oncology Parents Extended Support (HOPES) Fund.

Over the last 10 years, the tournament has raised nearly $130,000 for the charity.

First place winners this year were Ed Hanscom, Justin Pettis, Ernie Arce and Brad Butler, all from Shelter Island Marine Electronics.

Dale Donnelly, who died in November 2003 of lung cancer, was well-known in the San Diego marine industry. The first Dale Donnelly Memorial Golf Tournament was held in Aug. 2004, and over the years it has continued to attract numerous participants from the Southern California marine industry.

The tournament benefits the HOPES Fund, a unique program offering support to families whose children receive hematology and oncology services at Rady Children’s Hospital.

Established by a group of parents of current and former hematology/oncology patients, the group organizes special events for the children, including holiday parties. In addition, it may provide financial assistance to families who cannot afford expenses not covered by insurance — ranging from wigs to funeral expenses to a space heater for a home without heat, as well as food and transportation vouchers.

There are many events within the tournament that are designed to make it more fun, such as a longest putt contest and a marshmallow driving contest. There is also a Sponge Bob Ball contest, where each player on the team uses a special Sponge Bob ball for four consecutive holes. If the team finishes the round without losing their Sponge Bob ball, they put it in for a prize drawing.

“After 10 years, we want to move this tournament to the next level,” said event organizer Randy Spicer, of Yacht Docktor. “The entry and sponsorship costs have not changed in eight years, even though the operating costs have.” The event is currently seeking a major sponsor to help make next year’s event bigger and better than ever — ensuring increased participation and helping boost the event’s charitable donations.

“We have truly learned a lot in the first 10 years,” Spicer said. “There is a lot of room for growth — which, in turn, will raise more money for this worthy cause.”

For more information, email Spicer at yachtdocktor@aol.com or call him at (619) 223-9190.

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