to raise money. John calls it “moving the needle” so those who play in the event contribute to the event, or those attending “spread the word long after our event.” John realizes that pro golf events in Northern
and San Benito Counties, has come up with some pretty good answers. Funds distributed to charity increased from $8.7 million in 2014 to $9.8 million in 2015 and $10.8 million in 2016 – a third straight record figure. As a result of the golf tournament, which moved
from Rancho Santa Fe to the Monterey Peninsula in 1947, the Foundation has supported thousands of non-profit organizational needs through the years. Originally named for the CarmelYouth Center and founded by Bing Crosby in October of 1949, the Foun- dation now works directly with three partner founda- tions to award funding: Community Foundation Santa Cruz County; Monterey County Gives!; and Silicon Valley Gives. Through those three foundations, more than 300 grant applications are submitted to the Monterey Peninsula Foundation each year. With an eye on the future, a
recent grant was awarded to the Big Sur Land Trust to help finalize the purchase of 73 acres of the Carr Lake property in central Salinas, with the intention of converting it from agricultural use to a commu- nity parkland.
The Big Sur Land Trust also
understands the value of the MPF being on board. “To have a locally-based funder willing to make an investment in the community like this means so much,” said Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis, executive director of the Big Sur Land Trust. “Outside funders need to know there is a local buy-in.” Which means the Monterey Peninsula Foundation not only provides funding; it helps pave the way for organizations to acquire funding from other sources that trust its judgement … an invaluable endorsement. Just as the process has changed for distributing funds,
op: ECHO graduates from Girls Inc. of the Central Coast; (middle) Steve John, CEO of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, presents the 2016 A
winner Vaughn T
(L-R) Chelsea L. Storm-Larsen, Volunteer; Jocelyn Avila, Youth Leader; Jazmine Ramirez, Youth Leader
34 WINTER 2017 |
WWW.NCGA.ORG
tournament operations for the AT&T Pro-am have been fine-tuned recently to maximize the events’ ability T
T&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am championship trophy to aylor; (bottom) From the ECHO Leadership Program
California compete for spectators and players, as well as volunteers. “If they don’t have a great experience, they are not coming back,” John said. “So we invest in the experience and the result has been positive. The more dollars we invest, the more we have to offer every- one and the more charitable dollars we are raising.” With some unique obstacles and egos to navigate along the way, it’s not as simple as it may sound. “The players and the celebrities understand their roles and responsibilities,” John said. “It’s all about raising money for charity and 99 percent of the time they really get it, so it’s great to see them invest their time to become part of the community for that week.” PGA Tour pro James Hahn, a Northern Californian
who grew up in Alameda and played golf at UC Berkeley, understands how organizations such as the Monterey Peninsula Foundation can serve as a personal platform. “I’m blessed to be in this position (on tour), but it’s throw- ing it away if I don’t give back,” Hahn said. It’s all part of the image that the
AT&T Pro-Am has created: pre- mier venue; premier event; and premier experience. And whether they are a major champion, major motion picture star or major player in the business world, the partici- pants who gather at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula Country Club each winter have an under- standing why this highly respected
event – the true “granddaddy of all celebrity golf pro-ams” – has continued to thrive for 70 years. “There is something about the energy that is so
unusual,” says comedy genius Bill Murray, arguably the biggest celebrity draw in tournament history. “It can only happen in this place …” Murray recalls driving to the course in the morning and seeing the young Boy Scout Explorer volunteers helping direct traffic in Del Monte Forest and wonder- ing why some kid from 70 miles away would come here to do that. “Well, it’s because somehow some of this money gets funneled down to his charity,” Murray said. “And the marshals see some of the money going to their hospice, or their fire department or somewhere else. Everyone is in it. It’s a joyous experience.” Joyous, too, for a teenage girl who walks into a classroom …
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