South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Golf Tournament | $15,000 Raised

No hole in one on the designated 7th hole for $10,000, but one golfer did shoot an ace in the fundraiser for the city’s float in the 2023 Rose Parade.

PHOTO: Andrew Berk | South Pasadenan.com News | Among the golfers taking place in the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Golf Tournament were, from left, Karie Reynolds, Tracy Macrum, Andrew Berk and An Verkeulin.

A big prize was at stake going to the golfer who sank a hole in one on the 7th hole during last Saturday’s South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Golf Tournament at the Arroyo Seco Golf Course.

While no one collected the $10,000 up for grabs – a gracious offering by Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta in town – the popular tourney designed to raise top dollar for the city’s float in the Rose Parade each January, featured a mix of shots – some off the mark, others right on – including an ace by David Vilandzija on the 96-yard third hole.

The $10,000 was designated for No. 7 hole as many of the 100 entered golfers in the tournament paid ten extra bucks to walk off with the sizable amount if they sank it in one shot. Had it been on No. 3, Vilandzija would likely be talking about adding significantly to his bank account for a lifetime. Although it wasn’t the money hole, the memories of hooping and hollering, high fives all around by those on his team won’t go away soon.

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SPTOR Chair Brant Dunlap, especially likes the tournament because “you don’t have to be good to play,” he said. “You just have to want to have fun. What makes this fundraiser much different is that there are many participants from the surrounding cities and many of them have been showing up for years if not decades for this event.”

A team from Mijares restaurant traditionally wins it, but with the group not returning this year, a new winner was introduced in Richard Asao, Adam Chu, Scott Toshima and Greg Massimino. The foursome shot 15-under over the 18 holes to secure the victory.

Tournament Director Alan Vlacich, with assistance from Hunter Brown, said the format is “fun because it’s a best ball scramble on a short par three course, so there are lots of good scores.”

He also pointed out there “was lots of great food this year from Krispy Kreme donuts and breakfast burritos from High Life Burger and pizzas from Mama’s Brick Oven.”

At the end of the day, Vlacich said the tourney, which will help to absorb the cost of a $100,000-plus float for its 2023 Rose Parade, raised approximately $15,000. Work is already underway on the newest entry – “Spark of Imagination” – under construction behind the War Memorial Building, 435 Fair Oaks Avenue, in the city.

“It’s a joy to see friends, family, neighbors coming together for a common goal,” said Vlacich about those supporting the float. “Many business teams, old friends, and the class of 1992 had two foursomes.”

Dunlap also recognizes it takes many volunteers for an event of this magnitude to take place, adding: “I would like to thank all who participated, contributed and volunteered,” he said. “We have a handful of fundraising events throughout the year and the golf tournament is one of the longest running. Special thanks to Alan Vlacich and Hunter Brown for putting together a wonderful tournament.”