After thanking the sponsors, golfers and volunteers, Henry Mayo president and chief executive officer Roger Seaver praised one sponsor in particular during the awards ceremony.

“Joe Caso and Frontier Toyota have supported our ER and TraumaCenter for 14 years. We owe a lot to Joe and his support of Henry Mayo,” Seaver said.

Caso stood to applause before taking the stage and addressing the crowd.

“We have fantastic facilities at the hospital with some of the best physicians in California. I want to thank you all for coming out today and supporting the hospital,” Caso said. “Please give generously.”

Guests responded by bidding on dozens of items in the silent auction, as well as 20 luxurious prizes in the rousing live auction, led by Henry Mayo chief financial officer Bob Hudson. A year-long membership at Valencia Country Club took in top dollar with a $6,700 final bid, while vacation packages in Cabo San Lucas, Santa Barbara, and Big Bear were also popular.

Other auctioned items included a $1,900 donation for a framed signed jersey from Kobe Bryant, an exclusive Chef’s Table dinner for eight at Valencia’s Vines Restaurant for $2,000, and a mini-tournament for 15 at Valencia Country Club for $2,500.

“Our goal was to raise $300,000. Thankfully, we are almost there with all your help,” said tournament co-chair Chris Luechtefeld to cheers from the audience. “Thank you very much!”

Just prior to the delicious dinner catered by Rattler’s BAR B QUE, the major dinner sponsor, guests were riveted during the dramatic helicopter ball drop, which tossed out hundreds of marked golf balls over a tee on the greens. Ball numbers were purchased at $20 each and the 10 closest to the pin winners were eligible for the $50,000 grand prize, though none matched the pre-selected number. The guaranteed $2,000 first place and $500 second place were awarded.

First place prize winner Travis Salter donated his winnings back to the hospital. “Henry Mayo has a lot of experience doing great things for the community. This money is better served going back to their folds,” he said.

Earlier in the day, 36 teams played the award-winning course, with team 3A, consisting of Brett Byrd, Mark Nikander, Steve Ortiz, Mark Savage, and Kyle Smith emerging victorious for the first place net win. The tournament boasted its best ever attendance by hospital physicians, with six five-somes taking to the greens. The team of Tony Avakian, DPM, Jeff Bowne, DC, Josh Mitchell, DC, Tom Piazza and Dewey D. Pillai, MD won the perpetual physician’s trophy.

“Today we have a full service emergency and trauma center with 36 beds, modern facilities and equipment,” Seaver said. “The sponsors, players and bidders here today have all contributed to the continued success of this valley’s only emergency and trauma center.”