Charity golf tournament gives back to Pahrump community

The Nevada Silver Tappers and Ms. Senior Golden Years USA organizations are well-known in Pahrump for their many events and their participation in countless others, as well as their dedication to giving back to the community.

Every year for the past six years these sister organizations have worked together to host their annual Golf Scramble fundraiser, selecting a different valuable nonprofit to benefit from the proceeds each time. This year, the fundraiser was geared toward boosting Pahrump Valley Public Transportation, a local transit program that offers demand-response service for members of the valley. While this year’s tournament, held March 23, was somewhat smaller than in years past, event organizers said it was nonetheless a success, raising a total of $1,000.

“Though this year we had half the golfers from last year, the enthusiasm and energy were just as high. They came out to support a great cause and have fun,” stated event coordinator, Silver Tapper and Ms. Senior Golden Years member Michelle Caird. “We made a little over $1,000 so the PVPT will receive $500 and the Nevada Silver Tappers and Ms. Senior Golden Years organizations will get the other $500.”

Transportation program supervisor Eric Whalen said he and the transportation team couldn’t have been more thankful for the support shown by the two sponsoring organizations and the community as a whole. “On behalf of everyone here at PVPT, I’d like to thank each and every one of you who participated and contributed to these wonderful organizations. We are still overwhelmed by the success of our program and even more by the public support we’ve received. Thank you,” Whalen stated.

The event may have been a fundraiser at heart but there was plenty of competition involved as well, with prizes at stake for the winners.

“Closest to the pin for men was hole No. 2, won by Brad Wallace at 43 feet,” Caird detailed. “Closest to the pin for women was hole No. 14, won by Carol Olson at 7 feet 1 inch. There were also two other closest to the pin holes for everyone, which were sponsored by CoreCivic. The winners were Chris Dambacker on hole No. 16 at 12 feet 10 inches and Marvin Olson on hole No. 9 at 5 feet 1 inch.”

Taking first place this year with a score of 53, six under par, was the team comprised of Paul Claypool, Bob Steward, Art Murphy and Gene Bulac. Second place went to Tony Carlo, Tim Carlo, Mike Carlo and Chris Dambacker with a score of 54. Third place was a hotly-contested race, Caird said, with six teams coming in at a score of 57. In a card-off, the third-place award went to Charlie Nawara, Roy Barnes, Oliver Gruter and Ray Kelmis.

“Bringing up the rear with a 67 and living up to their team name ‘The Biggest Losers’ were Robyn Butler, B.J. Hetrick-Irwin, myself and Marcia Walling,” Caird reported. “B.J., age 93, incredibly sunk a 50-plus foot putt from off the green for one of the team’s two birdies!”

Caird noted that events like this cannot be accomplished without the help of many others and she offered appreciation for those who helped make the charity golf tournament a success.

“Thanks to our sponsors and supporters Tom Saitta of Saitta Trudeau Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Jewelry by Michael, CoreCivic, Paul Foster, the Pahrump Tourism department and Visit Pahrump, Sanders Family Winery, Sunflower Fashions, Pahrump Family Dental and Dr. Albert Ruezga, Dot Ahrens and Mary Kay cosmetics, and a special thank you to the Lakeview Executive Golf Course staff and all the Nevada Silver Tappers and Ms. Senior Golden Years USA members,” she concluded.

Contact reporter Robin Hebrock at rhebrock@pvtimes.com