Friends Near and Far Tee Off at San Vicente Men’s Golf Club Member-Guest Tournament
Over three sun-drenched days, the Men’s Golf Club Member-Guest Tournament raised spirits high and brought competitors from Arizona, Alabama, Oregon, and Canada for this reunion of fairways and friendships.
The San Vicente Men’s Golf Club rolled out the red carpet for its annual three-day Member-Guest Tournament from Friday, June 20 - Sunday, June 22, and the fairways were alive with camaraderie, competition, and a true sense of community.
Friday kicked off with practice play and a sizzling BBQ, capped by Matt’s ever-popular chipping contest—an individual contest played close to the green in which players either aim for a staged turkey with a dollar value attached at the bottom or go for the hole. There was also a Friday night Derby, where 2-player teams shot competitively on four holes of the course. Rumor has it that there was more than one hole-in-one! Players chipped in and played for prizes and laughs, setting an upbeat tone for the days ahead.
Saturday’s rounds wrapped just in time for a “players-only” dinner and raffle. The dinner catered in the San Vicente Room served prime rib, chicken, vegetables, potatoes, salads, rolls, and dessert. With 56 teams (112 golfers) competing, raffle tickets flew off tables in hopes of landing top prizes like a $500 driver, a $300 putter, Cleveland wedges, golf bags, golf balls, and even luxury golf vacation packages.
This year’s field of players boasted a host of long-distance travelers:
- Pete Torres returns every year for one of his favorite tournaments that he says he used to run. Driving over 250 miles from Lake Havasu, AZ, he reunited with old friends John Rathbun, Jim Munsterman, and “Ca-merican” Shel Jacobsen—so nicknamed for splitting seasons between Canada and Southern California.
- Terry Collins, our former local golf pro now based in Oregon, returned to pair up with Hugh Blackwood.
- Marty Brumfield, previously an SDCE resident of 28 years, made the trip from Arizona—and promptly aced a hole-in-one during Friday’s Derby!
- Scott Cheesman, freshly moved to Borrego Springs in December, praised the tournament’s format, and vowed to return.
- Jay Huseth flew in from Alabama, proving that true golf passion knows no boundaries.
Sunday’s finale featured a fresh barbecue with fixings and cold beverages enjoyed by players sitting in the shade of a huge tent on Hole 10. Congratulations to the winners and long-time friends Jim Munsterman and Shel Jacobsen.
We owe a big thank you to Jim Anderson, our Tournament Chairman; Mike Gilliand; Hugh Blackwood; Mike Oliver; and the wonderful Golf Team of Fred, Matt, Sergio, and Aaron. A special thanks to our volunteers: Toni Munsterman, Angie Rios, Corinne Hill, Toni Massery, John Massery, Robyn Bolitho, Penny Fowler, Kathy Knowles, Kathleen Kankleberg, AJ White, Darla White, Dave Blyth, Joyce Whitehead, and Sharron Daniels, whose behind-the-scenes efforts kept everything running smoothly.
Between the friendly competition, excellent food and drinks, numerous prizes and big catches in the raffle, and the sight of old friends reconnecting for a weekend, this year’s tournament was more than a game; it was a celebration of the San Vicente Men’s Golf spirit. Here’s to next year’s drive!
