Legacy of Service: Connie Sparks Memorial and Chris Martinez Open Golf Tournament 2025
The 11th Annual Connie Sparks Memorial and Chris Martinez Open brought together families, friends, and golfers to raise funds for cancer and ALS research, continuing a heartfelt legacy of service and remembrance at San Vicente Golf Resort.
On Friday, June 6, and Saturday, June 7, 28 golfers gathered at the San Vicente Golf Course with 12 family members and friends to participate in the 11th Annual Connie Sparks Memorial Golf Tournament and the 2nd Annual Chris Martinez Open. John Sparks started the Connie Sparks Memorial Golf Tournament in honor of his mother to support City of Hope and those battling cancer.
San Vicente Golf Resort has been a refuge and go-to destination for the Sparks family for over four decades. It has been a wonderful place in Southern California to stay and play as much golf as they can for two weeks a year. They have become a part of the community during their annual visits since 1981. John’s father, John Sparks Sr., was the golfer in the family. He was a +2 player until he was 55 years old. His golf handicap was still a 6 when he passed away in 2007 at the age of 83. “Our whole family revolved around golf, golf events, and golf vacations. My Mom would complain she was a golf widow. So, we thought it fitting that the golf tournament would be named after her. And we used that to create this event and raise monies and awareness for all types of Cancer and the City of Hope.”
Connie passed away on June 27, 2012, from breast cancer. She was diagnosed with very aggressive breast cancer in her 80s and developed a close bond with her doctor from City of Hope, Dr. Arti Hurria. City of Hope is one of 57 National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated comprehensive centers in the U.S. Connie told her doctor that she wanted to see her grandkids graduate from high school and college. Dr. Hurria used those goals to create a program that would give Connie some time and hope. Connie met all those goals, and the clinical trial she helped to forge at City of Hope is used with geriatric cancer patients today. Connie was a registered nurse all her life and was able to give back well into her 80s, continuing her legacy of service.
This year’s 2nd annual Open honored Chris Martinez, a frequent visitor to Ramona, who passed away from Bile Duct Liver Cancer in January 2022. He loved Ramona and enjoyed playing golf here. He never missed a Ramona golf event for over 30 years. Martinez helped John Sparks establish Blue Sky Golf in 2009 and was instrumental in shaping it into what it is today. His wife, Bea Martinez, acted as the Ambassador for last weekend’s Open.
They added ALS last year because John has a close friend, Mike “Frosty” Foster, who is battling ALS. “He is in the fight of his life, and we want to support him and his family.” Mike has been present at all the golf tournaments and made every Connie Sparks Memorial. Mike’s group, “Team Frosty,” fundraises and raises awareness for ALS year-round. ALS has been added to this event and will continue to be every year. Mike was present on both days and functioned as Ambassador for the event. “Adding Chris and Mike seemed like the right thing to do.”
The event had a record number of sponsors and introduced a new silent auction this year, raising money for the fundraiser, as reported by event lead John Sparks. The fundraisers have brought in a minimum of $3,000 every year, and John hopes to continue increasing that amount. Funds raised at this year's event are being tabulated at the time of publication.
Photos courtesy of John Sparks.
