Winning team, “Graf’s Gang,” receives their prize. From left: Randy Spencer (tournament treasurer), Al Storey, Larry Kraber, Don Stone and Don Graf
Memory plaque presentation to the family of Bob Gabric; from left: Mike Gabric (son), Matt Gabric (son), Pat Gabric (wife) and Jeff Shields, the title sponsor of the tournament.
Herb Kranze
The third annual Jeff Shields/Charles Schwab Senior Men’s Putting Tournament, hosted by the SaddleBrooke Men’s Putters Club (SBMP), was held Friday, September 15. The tournament was dedicated to the memory of Bob Gabric, a leading organizer of the SBMP more than 15 years ago and who, along with Jeff Shields, fostered these annual Senior Men’s Putting Tournaments.
The event netted $4300 which was distributed in the following manner: a check for $1500 was presented to the American Diabetes Association by Jeff Shields, the title sponsor of the event, and the remaining proceeds were shared by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, the Ricki Rarick Junior Golf Program, SaddleBrooke Community Outreach and hurricane relief in Puerto Rico.
The other lead sponsors of this event were Sonora Investment Management, Pride Mechanical Heating and Cooling, the Cleere Law Offices, P.C., Blue Banana Frozen Yogurt in Oro Valley and David Rutkowski of Tierra Antigua Realty. Also, major raffle prizes were donated by Omni Tucson National Resort, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Miraval Arizona, Highlands at Dove Mountain golf, Oro Valley Country Club golf, MountainView/Preserve/SaddleBrooke Ranch golf, Robson Ranch golf, SaddleBrooke SaddleBrooke One golf, the Views Golf Club of Oro Valley, J. W. Marriott Starr Pass golf, the Golf Course at Vistoso, Quarry Pines Golf Course and the PGA Golf Superstore. These sponsors and others generously donated over $13,000 in cash and merchandise. Their sense of goodness will be felt by many as far away as Puerto Rico.
Eighteen teams from nearby and regional courses and groups participated in the event. The winning team, “Graf’s Gang” representing SaddleBrooke One, could have walked to the event. The members were Don Graf, Larry Kraber, Don Stone and Al Storey. In the individual competition, there was a three-way tie for first with even par rounds of 36. A playoff ensued with Larry Kraber taking first place; Jack Gressingh of SaddleBrooke Ranch, who traveled 10 miles, came in second and Mike Pryor of Robson Ranch, traveling the farthest from Casa Grande, finished third. Looks like proximity fuels success!
A luncheon for 130 participants, sponsors and volunteers followed the event in the Vistas Dining Room at SaddleBrooke One. The luncheon was outstanding due to the culinary skills of the SaddleBrooke One Food and Beverage staff led by Vivian Timian, General Manager of SaddleBrooke One and Chef Dave Bishow.
All 130 members of the SBMP extend a hearty invitation to all SaddleBrooke men to join us for our weekly events on Thursday mornings at the SaddleBrooke One putting green. Check our website https://sites/google.com/site/sbmputters/home for details. It is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship as well as a place to do good for others locally and nationally. For those who are not great putters, but good eaters, there are quarterly breakfasts to celebrate individual accomplishments. We hope you will join in the fun.