Putts for Charity: Rotary’s 18th Annual Golf Classic Tournament

On May 14, the 18th Annual Cupertino Rotary Classic Tournament will be held at Deep Cliff Golf Course. This year’s primary beneficiary is the first Habitat for Humanity project in Cupertino: the .

Tournament proceeds will also benefit an additional 20 local projects.

"Each charity will receive a minimum guarantee of $100 from the Rotary Club of Cupertino," says Rotary member Gary E. Jones. Among these charities are the Cupertino Library Foundation, Diabetes Society, Fremont Union High Schools Foundation, Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, and West Valley Community Services.

"It will be a real community effort, and not just a Rotary project," says Wendell Stephens, who is this year serving as co-chairperson of the event.

"We start on this tournament in October and solicit proposals for a primary beneficiary.  This year we reviewed 18 proposals and selected Habitat for Humanity's Cleo Avenue project," says Stephens.

"For the fifth year in a row Recology has been our major sponsor.  HP, PG&E, Shin Shin Foundation, Armstrong Planning, Cali Financial, Lehigh Cement Group, and Valley Med are a few of the other sponsors for this tournament."

Those interested in the Hole-in-One Event on tournament day can qualify by getting closest to the pin at Deep Cliff’s 10th hole between May 4-13 (excluding the weekend) from 6 p.m. to dark.

The prize this year is a 2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo (worth approximately $120,000), sponsored by Maria Chen at 888-AUTO.

Anyone making a hole-in-one at designated holes as part of the tournament itself is also eligible for prizes such as $5,000, a Bose stereo system, a set of Nike woods (or irons), and a $500 Visa gift card—these sponsored by the Mary Tan Realty Team.

"I know of no other tournament that has such exciting prizes to play for," says Stephens. "And I know of no other tournament that can make a claim approaching [this] level of outreach."

Rotary club member Steve Andrews says he is most definitely participating again this year.

"I feel the cause is so worthwhile that I have recruited two other foursomes to join me," says Andrews. "This is one of the very best projects that Cupertino Rotary has raised money for. We have a big need for below-market housing, and working with Habitat for Humanity will give the chance to fill this need."

"Our whole club is very excited about our chance to work with this group," he adds.

There will also be a 9-Hole Scramble on the morning of May 14.

"In one way or another this tournament will involve almost every one of our members—a club of approximately 200," says Stephens. "We have a great bunch of willing workers."

Says Jones: "Hurry, time is limited and the dance cards are filling up fast!"

For more information on how you can get involved, and to find out what day your favorite charity is at the tee, visit the Cupertino Rotary´s Facebook page, Deep Cliff´s own website, or read the official flyer.