The Glendale College Foundation will host its 30th annual Golf Classic Tournament in June at the Oakmont Country Club in hopes to raise at least $100,000.
For the past two years, the foundation has raised money to enhance facilities and special student success projects on campus. This includes purchase of equipment, items needed to improve student learning, musical instruments, replacing broken chairs and buying better tools for teaching.
Money from the foundation also helped the athletic department renovate the fitness center with new equipment. Most of the equipment was tattered and old.
“Everything that the foundation does here is to help the college,” said Lisa Brooks, Executive Director of the Glendale College Foundation.
“That is our whole reason for being. Raising money and the visibility of the college to the public, so that the surrounding areas know what Glendale College is about and know what we are trying to achieve.”
President David Viar Superintendent of Glendale College, will attend the classic for the first time.
He is excited to meet the people who are participating, knowing that they are donating to improve facilities for GCC students.
“It really is an established fundraising activity here,” said Viar. “It is very well known in the community with the businesses and the individuals who want to help the college to be successful.”
Representatives from Mallcraft, the company constructing College/Lab Services Building, will also participate in the golf tournament. Many golfers who have participated in previous years will return and play in this year’s event.
In 2013, the Golf Classic raised more money than the previous five years. The foundation hopes that the event will bring in $100,000 with the help of a live auction and from the golf tournament itself.
There are many interesting items up for bid online and live on the day of the event. A private jet will take the highest bidder to Santa Barbara for lunch. Another winner will have dinner with Dr. Viar and his wife at their home and Chef Andrew Feldman head of the Culinary Department on campus will prepare a special dinner for someone and 11 guests at their home, with live performances by students from the Music Department.
A golf package to Pebble Beach Golf Course, donated by a GCC supporter, will also be up for auction.
“If you know anything about golf, it’s [Pebble Beach] the best place to golf in the entire world,” said Brooks.
This year Lexus of Glendale will be donating a 1916 Model T-Ford up for bid.
The Golf Classic is just one of the many ways the foundation raises money for Glendale College. Outside of the school’s regular forms of revenue; state apportionment of local property tax and student fees, the foundation raises extra money that helps the school excel.
Glendale has a significant scholarship program, one of the largest in the state. Many scholarship funds come from donors.
Viar said a contribution of a $1 million from long-time Glendale resident Bhupesh Parikh and his family, as well as money raised from others helped build the Health Center where the nursing program is located.
Beyond the foundation’s endowment of $11 million, there are people contributing through the President’s Circle fund. It offers donors the opportunity to support Glendale College by donating a minimum unrestricted gift of $1,000 or more annually. This is available to spend as needed and not held as an endowment.
Viar said the money being raised from donations makes a significant difference for students in the college.
This year’s Golf Classic expects to have a large turnout with a full field of 144 golfers and more attendees during the dinner. The dinner package is offered at $50 per person.
Tee-off is at 11a.m. on June 9. For more information about the Golf Classic contact the Foundation Office at (818) 551-5199
