The 17th Annual Thomas Jefferson School of Law Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament fielded winners in several categories on Friday, October 5, but the biggest winner of all is the TJSL Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic (VLAC).
The tournament proceeds fund scholarships for TJSL students who provide pro bono legal services for struggling San Diego veterans through the VLAC, a collaborative effort with Veterans Village of San Diego. The VLAC, the only law clinic in San Diego devoted to helping veterans with their legal problems.
At the awards dinner, TJSL Professor and VLAC Director Steve Berenson said a few words to the golfers present. “The proceeds from the Golf Tournament go into a fund that provides scholarships for the most outstanding students in the Veterans Clinic each semester,” Professor Berenson said. “These are students who go above and beyond the already high expectations that all clients have a right to have for their attorneys, and that TJSL professors have of their students. They are our best and brightest students, and are very deserving of the support they receive.”
This year’s tournament at Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course attracted 88 golfers, from TJSL alumni to current students to professors and friends.
Before the golfers hit the links, they were invited to purchase additional raffle tickets to help boost the net proceeds. The donated raffle prizes from individuals and businesses included Taylor Made golf clubs, golf balls, restaurant gift certificates, two Kindle Fires, an iPad2 and various gift baskets.
TJSL Alumni Relations Director Vanessa Vandever said she is grateful that the 17th Annual Alumni Golf Tournament went off without a hitch and that everyone appeared to have an amazing time. “A special thanks goes out to the co-chairs of the Golf Committee, Sabrina Green ’02 and Aaron Hicks ‘04,” said Vandever. “I truly appreciate the two of them helping to organize the entire event.”
The competition included a putting contest, as well as prizes for Closest to the Pin and Long Drive (men’s and women’s categories), Low Gross and First Place team for Low Net and Most Honest.
When TJSL Communications Assistant Linda Peasley was asked what she and her son James got for being the ‘Most Honest’, she replied, “Ha, Ha… the lowest score. That’s what you get for being honest.”
Putting Contest: Aaron Sherlock
Women’s Closest to the Pin: Natalie Buccini
Men’s Closest to the Pin: Lance Capel
Men’s Longest Drive: Matt Thoene
Women’s Longest Drive: Lindsee Pitsch
Low Gross (55): Gregory Walt, Johannes Demarzi, Matt McLaughlin and David Vallero
Low Net (64): Ryan McCrary, N. Ben Cramer, J.P. Roach and Matt Greene
Most Honest: Linda Peasley and James Peasley II
The net total proceeds from the 2012 tournament have not yet been finalized.
The annual TJSL golf tournament wouldn’t be as successful without the generous support of its many sponsors, including:
Sponsorship Company/Firm Hole Dixon Golf Hole Galante Ganci, APC Hole Jim Miller for Superior Court Judge Hole Chad The Bail Guy Hole Barbri Hole First American Title Hole Atkinson-Baker Court Reporters Hole Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. Hole Frank Motors Hole Law Office of Salim Khawaja Hole Casey Gerry Hole First American – Fund Control Hole First American NCS – Orange County Division
Hole First American NCS – SD/IE Division
Closest to the Pin (Women’s) eLiveLife Closest to the Pin (Men’s) First American NCS – SoCal Sales
Long Drive (Women’s) Stratton & Green Long Drive (Men’s) First American NCS – Energy Group
Silver Law Offices of Rob Waller Silver CSL legal Silver Mitchel & Shea, APC Silver Breathe Easy Insurance Solutions
Putting Contest Epsten Grinnell Howell
Specialty Sponsorships
Cocktail Reception Law Offices of Aaron T. Hicks Cocktail Reception Law Offices of Philip A. Shapiro
Hole in One Sanctuary Bail Bonds
Water Winslow & McCurry, PLLC Raffle Sponsorships The All-Star Group / Titleist Callaway Golf Company Rowley – Exclusive Individual Portraits of Children Bradford Renaissance Portraits Preferred Hotel Group Viejas Red Door Wellington eLiveLife Indigo Cafè & Catering