November 4, 2022
On a beautiful sunny day on October 31, 2022, 96 golfers and over 30 volunteers came together to celebrate the opening of our beautiful Pusch Ridge Golf Course for the 2022 - 2023 season. There are so many accolades and thank-yous that we need to share - the old adage that it takes a village is truly appropriate!
The Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf organized the event in partnership with Bernie Eaton and his incredible team at El Conquistador Golf. They transformed the course from its summer dormancy, overseeding the fairways, treating the greens, resurfacing the cart paths and updating the pro-shop. The course looks fantastic and welcomed us for two fun shotgun scrambles! The Friends also worked with Bernie and crew on the pro-shop, including a new television, golf gear, additional beverages, and soft goods including beautiful new Pusch Ridge Golf Towels! Be sure to grab one next time you play.
The Town of Oro Valley assisted with funding for upgrades to the cart paths, new trees and a new “porta potty.” We are thankful for the improvements!
Laura Baldwin, a member of our Wednesday Prickly Pairs, jumped on the bandwagon and organized hole sponsorships. Many Sponsors greeted the golfers on their tee-box with goodies, games and enthusiasm. Thank you, Laura, for your hard work on this new addition to our format!
Golf pros, Mark Thesing and Keith Burdette, shared their golfing expertise on hole number three with impressive pro-drives! The foursomes contributed funds to the Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf in return for a great location to hit their second shots!
We started the morning round with yummy Halloween donuts, OJ and welcome back hugs! Many of the players are members of our weekly leagues - it was a reunion of friends brought together by their common bond of fast, fun and affordable golf in the shadow of Pusch Ridge!
The two groups converged at The Hilton El Conquistador’s Last Territory for lunch, celebrations, and awards! We are thankful for the support provided by the Hilton - excellent lunches, a perfect location and professional team.
Kristy Diaz-Trahan, Parks and Recreation Director for the Town of Oro Valley, shared an inspiring and enthusiastic message about the success of the course and connection to community.
Many volunteers worked at registration, sold mulligans, directed traffic, loaded golf carts, set-up and cleaned up. The energy of the group was incredible - we live in a magical place full of wonderful people.
A few fun and clever participants came dressed for Halloween - we conducted an applause-o-meter to determine the winners! They were all winners - thank you all for sharing your sense of humor.
The afternoon group converged on the pro-shop patio following the second shotgun for munchies, awards and libations. The weather could not have been more perfect. Tony D’Angelo’s music in the background, lots of laughs and enthusiasm for future golf and camaraderie!
And now, here are winners!
Low Score Foursomes:
Mike Michels, Tom Buckett, Alvin Freitas, Jim Multerer - Score of 30!
Dave and Patty Brown, Mark Gill, Craig Wessman - Score of 29
High Score Foursomes:
Sandie Walhof, Donna Bennett, Patty Horton, Marcie Williams
Edith Ross, Beth Smith, Beth Valenzuela, Ine Van Kersen
Ladies Closest to the Pin: Marcia Williams and Patty Brown
Men’s Closest to the Pin: Pete Leuzinger and George Chardukian
Ladies Longest Drive: Cyndi Cook and Patty Mondale
Men’s Longest Drive: Brian Baird and Jack Sieben
Credits:
Like any great movie, there is always a long list of credits at the end. You loved the movie - but do you really stay there and read the names? Some of the most important contributors go un-noticed!
Friends of Pusch Ridge Board and Advisors
Niranjan Vescio, Tony and Lisa D’Angelo, Stan New, Dan Talsma, Anna Bifano, Carolyn Weinig, Sandy Carter, Bill Dowdall, Jill Burgett and Anji Verlaque. Keeping with our award winning movie theme - Behind the scenes are the technical experts. Stan New, Anji Verlaque and Jill Burgett deserve a big round of applause for their technical and organizational expertise!
Our Event Volunteers
Dave Brown, Jack Holmes, Dorothy New, Laura Baldwin, Katie Dowdall, Laura Reed, Dale Rouse, Steve Weinig, Stan New, Tim Reeves, Carol Gill, Mo McNeary, Pam Kravitz, Emily Erickson, Helen Dowling, Tony D’Angelo, Lisa D’Angelo, Niranjan Vescio, Anji Verlaque, Cathie Holmes, Angelo Bifano and Terri Stream!
Our Sponsors
All of our sponsors had professionally designed signs courtesy of Sav-on Signs:
Sponsors were:
Jayson Carver - 520 Personal Training, Fidelity Home Warranty, El Con Golf, Rigo Pest Control, Cynthia Nelson Starkweather, OMNI Homes International, Nova Home Loans,
Havven Salon, El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort and
PRMI - Primary Residential Mortgage Specializing in Reverse Mortgages
Prize Donors - Thank you for your generosity!
Trinket Acevedo and The Spawell Team
Lisa Dissinger, Arbonne Area Manager
Bernie Eaton and the El Conquistador Golf Team
Kathleen Gardner, Friend of Pusch Ridge
What does the future hold??
The FOPRG leagues started on November 2nd - Visit this page to find out more about our leagues.
Tony and Lisa D’Angelo’s newly developed marketing plan for the continued success of Pusch Ridge has begun. It includes connecting with local hotels and apartment complexes to encourage hotel guest play at PR; providing training and material to their team members; social media outreach; helping encourage kids’ play and much more! The outstanding two-year plan is located on our website! The FOPRG goal for this year is 15,600 rounds… Let’s rock it!
Remember - Friends Don’t Let Friends Golf Alone
With much appreciation for a great start to the season, your enthusiastic tournament directors…
Anna Bifano and Carolyn Weinig