PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS Day Evening Team Winners

"Los Angeles County has only 11 hospitals with 24-hour trauma centers and you are all fortunate that Henry Mayo is one of them."

The tournament, co-chaired by Don Fleming, Corky Knight and Chris Luechtefeld, was held on the beautiful greens of the Valencia Country Club and included 180 golfers in teams of five who began their day with breakfast burritos donated by RSVP catering, hot beverages compliments of Newhall Coffee and pastries and juices courtesy of Panera Bakery and Mimi's Café.

As the temperatures climbed, so too did the golfers' enthusiasm as they participated in contests including: putting, pitching, beat the Commish (Todd Donoho), closest to the pin, longest drive, long drive team play, beat the pro and the accuracy test. Players also had four hole-in-one opportunities in which they could win automobiles from the tournament's Title Sponsor, Frontier Toyota.

Throughout the day, golfers enjoyed food donated from Cousin's Burgers, Roast House & El Trocadero, Nardone's, Stonefire Grill, Castaic Lion's Club, BJ's Retaurant & Brewery and Salt Creek Grille and beverages courtesy of Santa Clarita Concessions and Anheuser Busch and ice cream from Event Specialists.

In the evening, golfers and guests retreated to a tent above the greens, where festively decorated tables blended perfectly with the vivacity expressed by the tournament's participants as the awards ceremony commenced.

The first place gross winners, representing American Pacific Industries, included: Tucker Brown, Bob Burns, Casey Kirkman, Jeff Kreitzman and Rick Robb.

The first place net winners, representing Newhall Land included: Mike Buerner, Jim Graziano, John Heys, Jim Lauffer and Dick Rai.

Jim Graziano, a member of the first place net winning team, said his fellow golfers "egged and hammed it" as each team member made an equal contribution to the team's victory. "We are all large supporters of Henry Mayo and are really happy about this win."

Among the participating golfers were physicians eager to support the hospital, including longtime participant Douglas Gadowski, M.D.; Richard Goldman, M.D.; Arnold Vinstein, M.D.; Anthony Panasci, M.D.; Peter Nicolazzo, M.D.; Mark Liker, M.D.; Robert Schroeder, M.D.; Michael Quon, M.D.; Rajinder Kaushal, M.D. and Roberto Zappacosta, M.D. Roger Der, M.D. also participated as one of a hundred volunteers who helped make the tournament a success.

Joe Caso, owner of Frontier Toyota and member of the second place gross winning team, said he was very proud of all of the corporate sponsorships, volunteers and individuals who worked so diligently to contribute to the community hospital.

"You all really help make the expansion of the hospital happen,'' Caso said. The community is growing and the Hospital's expansion of the Emergency Department is of the utmost important."

Hospital Chief Executive Officer Roger Seaver thanked Title Sponsor Frontier Toyota and its owner Joe Caso as well as all of the players, sponsors and volunteers who made the Golf Classic such a success.

Throughout the evening, event attendees enjoyed a dinner buffet including Mexican rice, black beans, seasoned chicken and scrumptious salads offered by RSVP Catering of Newhall. For dessert, attendees were treated to Van Nuys-based Dandy Don's ice cream and frozen yogurt with all of the coveted fixings.

Before and during dinner, attendees purchased raffle tickets and bid on numerous silent auction items from sports tickets and autographed jerseys to a round of golf at the Valencia Country Club, golf equipment and facials and massages.

During the evening's live auction, attendees bid for coveted golf rounds and trips to exotic locations.

David Henry, M.D., Medical Director for Henry Mayo's Emergency Services and the winning bidder for a one-week trip to Kauai, said he was happy to support the hospital and looked forward to going back to the islands after five years.

Dr. Henry also thanked all the event's attendees on behalf of the Emergency Department for contributing to the efforts in support of Henry Mayo's ED and Trauma Center.

"This year has truly been a remarkable year for our Emergency Department," Henry said. "In March we celebrated the groundbreaking and by the end of next year will have a new ER designed to serve the needs of the Santa Clarita Valley for this decade and beyond. All of this is truly attributed to you and your support of Henry Mayo."

To participate in next year's golf tournament, please contact the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation at (661) 253-8082.