South Pasadena Golf Tournament | Rose Parade Funds Successfully Raised for Float

Golfers came to the Arroyo Seco Golf Tournament last Saturday to help raise funds for the city’s float that annually takes part in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day

FILE PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019

John Vandercook says it’s always special when golfers come together to raise funds and create plenty of fun on the same day.

PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Bruce Crum, Gerry Poulin and John Vandercook
PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019

That’s what the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Golf Tournament is all about.

About 70 golfers brought their talents to Arroyo Seco Golf Course last Saturday to play the 3-par course in the scramble, best ball tourney with all the proceeds going to help pay for South Pasadena’s float in the 2020 Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year’s Day.

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PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Gary Pia, Brad Colerick, Debbie Heap and Scott Feldmann
PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019. Soma Warna, Mary Catherine, Margarita Carse and Judy Graven

“It takes about $100,000 to build the float, so we’re grateful to those who come out and help us raise the funds,” explained Vandercook.

Along with lunch and many raffle gifts up for grabs, participants had an opportunity to walk away with $10,000 by sinking a hole-in-one on a the 17th hole. Mama’s Brick Oven Pizza sponsored the par 3 hole.

PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019
PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019

“The golfers really have a great time out here ,” said Vandercook, noting that proceeds will help pay for steel and flowers when construction begins soon on the city’s 2020 entry in the Rose Parade – given the theme “Victory at Last” – scheduled to roll down Colorado Boulevard January 1 in Pasadena.

PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019. Rick McKlosky, Ray Oerada, Joe Ortiz and Steve Ortiz
PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019

South Pasadena’s float highlights the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granting American women the right to vote, ending almost a century of protest.

The family-oriented tournament, which raised approximately $8,000 a year ago, has been going on for so long that Vandercook explained kids who once played in it with their dads are now showing up to play as adults with their own children.

PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Matt Bragg, Jack Hawkins, Marcus Hamilton, and Mark Priver
PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019

“It’s just a fun family event and it helps a longtime organization in town – The Tournament of Roses,” he said. “People are wonderful in wanting to support our float.”

The event, now in its 41st year, included 18 holes of golf on the pitch and putt course, lunch, awards, a raffle and that big cash reward for the shot of the day.

PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Brook Collins, Brano Popovac, Dan Cooly and Scott Toshima
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Charles Wiggington, Tom Nance, Simona Hollins and Richard Franco

“Wouldn’t it be cool if someone won $10,000?” said Vandercook, before the tournament “Oh my goodness.” There were plenty of attempts made, but there was no hole in one on this day.

The SPTOR also raises funds through a car show in September, a major raffle to win seats to the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game and a Crunch Time Party at the War Memorial Building at year’s end. The golf tournament was the first step in paying for the city’s float.

PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Kylan Gamell, Alex Smith and Donald Williams
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Helping at the registration table were, front, M.J. Craig, and back, from left, SPTOR Secretary Megan Colburn, SPTOR Treasurer Sandy Fielding and SPTOR President Courney Dunlap
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | South Pasadena’s float rendering for the 2020 Rose Parade was on display
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Dozens of raffle prizes were up for grabs

“It’s just a small community, fun event to raise money for a great cause – the float,” he added. 

PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019
PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019
PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019
PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Tony Dang, Mike Dunn, Jim Maines, and Ernie Arnold
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Jim Stewart, Dana Stewart, Amber Stewart and Nicki Davidson
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Steve Biegenzahn, Steve Silker, Alan Vlacich and John Lapi
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Jose Diaz, Brant Dunlap, Richard Asno and Ryan Asno
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Jeff Huber, Scott Margrave, Geof Hugar and David Bilandzija
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Jim Olkeriil, Tom Davidson, Tom Anderson, and Terry McGough
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Mike Bernardi, Shawn Kiser, Eric Nordvedt and Dan Burr
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Christian Flores, Ron Caldwell, Danny Bernal and Robert Flores
PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019
PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019
PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Thomas Reiten, Michael Glazier, Hunter Brown and Ben Cole
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Jeff Huber, Scott Margrave, Geof Hugar and David Bilandzija
PHOTO: Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Fran Alvarez, Ernest Gacutan, Daryll Allen and Steve Kim
PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPTOR Golf Tournament 2019