The 2004 CASA Annual Golf Classic, sponsored by Morgan Stanley, was an overwhelming success and set a new standard for future CASA Golf events. With lots of sunshine and temperatures reaching the mid 90’s, it was a beautiful day. 120 golfers (30 teams) had a great time at the lovely Boundary Oak course in Walnut Creek.

Golfers vied competitively in Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive as well as the grand prize of First Place Foursome. Each winner received a gift certificate to the Boundary Oaks Pro Shop.

Later that evening in Blake’s Ballroom, approximately 140 guests recognized Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month at the CASA Light of Hope reception. Keith Archuleta, CASA Executive Director, acknowledged the more than 160 abused and neglected children CASA currently serves and the approximately 40 children on our waiting list who need our services. He encouraged new volunteers to become a light of hope for these children.      

Joe Fonzi, Weekend Sports Anchor for KTVU/Fox Channel 2, served as Master of Ceremony for the evening. We settled in for a wonderful fresh seafood banquet and an exciting live auction run by Auctioneer extraordinaire Dennis McCormack as CASA supporters bid higher and higher to secure not only the sought-after items, but CASA’s future of advocating for abused and neglected children. The items that encouraged the highest bid were the “Ultimate Evening Out” with VIP seating for four to a concert during the 2004 season at the Chronicle Pavilion at Concord, and “A Different Kind of Baseball” with an A’s luxury box for 12. Each item fetched a whopping $1,400!

Overall, this evening helped CASA to gross over $49,000 with a tentative net of $24,500. This is an increase of $11,500 compared to last year’s event! Thank you to all our participants!     

Of course, this would not have been possible without the generous contribution of auction items from CASA supporters, raffle ticket and foursome purchases from loyal individuals, the Presenting Sponsorship from Morgan Stanley, the Light of Hope Reception Sponsorship from SBC, and the Premiere Sponsorships from The PMI Foundation, Emerald Consulting,  First Allied Mortgage, and Hughes and Gill, P.C.

Special thanks are in order to the many volunteers who contributed valuable time to assure we had plenty of help during this event.  We also thank Moon Mountain Winery in Sonoma, Rocco’s Pizza of Walnut Creek, and T.J.s Gingerbread House of Oakland for their delicious donations of on-course food and beverages.

Last but not least, a thank you to the Silicon Valley School of Massage in Walnut Creek for providing the wonderful Chair massages, making the day even more relaxing and fun.