“We knew it would be an exciting day, but it wildly exceeded our expectations! It’s great so many people had fun but the best part is how many children will be helped,” stated Mimi Mills, Bajamar Premier Properties, a sponsor of the Inaugural Vendimia Open golf tournament and board member for the Baja Scholarship Foundation (BSF), www.bajaschoalrshipfoundation.org.
The sun was shining literally and figuratively on this first-time event held at Bajamar Oceanfront Hotel & Golf Resort on Friday, August 14, 2009. As scores of Mexican and American golfers registered for the 18-hole two-person scramble, cappuccinos were frothing, chocolate-filled croissants from Hogaza Hogaza were being consumed and speculation was running high as to who would win the more than $6000 USD in prize money at stake. And, most important, nearly 30 volunteers from AMPI (Rosarito’s real estate trade association), Bajamar Premier Properties and the non-profit BSF were smiling in the knowledge that thousands of dollars were being raised to help send needy Mexican children to school.
Teams of golfers – ranging from mellow duffers to serious contenders (with handicaps to even things out) – blanketed the Vista and Oceano courses. Almost every hole boasted some kind of feature: wine-tastings, a hole-in-one chance to winner a Hummer (disappointingly, it remained unspoken for), oceanfront golf vacations and other opportunities. Patrick Shaw, PGA member and Bajamar’s golf pro, devised a variety of challenging hole contests to keep golfers alert and engaged, including the elusive ‘straightest drive’ hole and the unusual contest for ‘longest putt’ on Oceano hole #9.
It was difficult to hear the shot-gun start over the sound of waves crashing on Bajamar’s famed bluffs but when the tourney officially began, the frenetic pre-tournament activity calmed into hours of fun and focused golf.
Along with Bajamar Premier Properties, AMPI and Bajamar Oceanfront Hotel & Golf Resort, the event was sponsored by Cannon Power Group, Mahon International, Telnor, Hostal San Angel, Diane Gibbs, Children’s Fund of Santa Barbara, Chicago Title of Orange County, Baja Rentals, Pro Vino, TM Cobb, First Title Services, www.bajabound.com and Santa Barbara at Bajamar.
The day culminated with a silent and live auction managed by Ruth Rockwell, and a steak and lobster awards banquet. Rockwell, a long-time supporter of the BSF, was delighted by the show of support from local restaurants, wineries and wine producers (including Chateau Camou’s presence on the course) and others who contributed auction items and raffle prizes.
As smooth merlots and cabernets were quaffed over dinner, anticipation was building for the announcement of tournament results. When Shaw had finished his review of handicaps and scorecards, the winning scorers were announced. Overall, 10 teams received prizes, with the top three teams including: First place and a prize of $2000, M.Calero and O. Foglio, team score of 61; second place and a prize of $1500, C. Cardona and R. Mellado, team score of 61.25, and third place and a team score of 63 to C. Pieper and L. Jaeger.
But the biggest prize of all, according to tournament committee member Larry French of the Baja Real Estate Group, is the fact that so much money was raised to support the Baja Scholarship Foundation that helps send deserving children to school, from kindergarten through college.
“It is fair to say we raised close to $10,000 for the charity, thanks to tremendous support from our sponsors, our participants and, most important, our incredible volunteers,” noted French, adding that the standard has been set for an even more successful event in the future.
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