The Sunnyvale Sun

News

Rotary's golf tournament to benefit local charities

By JASON GOLDMAN-HALL

It may not be Pebble Beach, but the Sunnyvale Municipal Golf Course is home to a number of well-trimmed holes, and a lot of money could be made there Aug. 31.

But none of the money is going to pay for new boats for rich golfers.

"We've decided to benefit nonprofits who benefit the citizens of Sunnyvale," said Kuykendall Collision Repair owner and tournament founder Marie Kuykendall. "I thought a golf tournament in Sunnyvale, by Sunnyvale, would be a great avenue, a real win-win situation," she said.

So the thousands of dollars raised by the Sunnyvale Rotary's fourth annual golf tournament will be given to local charities, including Project HELP and the Sensory Access Foundation.

Project HELP is a nonprofit agency dedicated to helping eliminate the gap between the achievements of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Sensory Access Foundation works to help blind and visually-impaired people compete for, obtain and retain employment. According to the foundation, 70 percent of all blind or visually impaired people are unemployed, and a third of the employed earn 37 percent less than people who are not disabled.

The Sunnyvale Historical Society, the Support Network for Battered Women and the American Association of University Women are past tournament beneficiaries.

In the first year it was held, the tournament raised $7,000, rising to more than $11,000 for the second and third years. Kuykendall said she hopes to raise at least $20,000 this year, but that number could reach $40,000 if the event gets enough participants and sponsors.

"We want to be able to at least give each nonprofit $10,000," she said.

In addition to sponsors and a raffle, each player who enters has to pay a $100 entry fee. Sunnyvale Mayor Ron Swegles, an avid golfer, said he will lead his own team of golfers around the course.

"The teams are coming in hot and heavy now. I expect to have 36 teams, with four golfers on a team," Kuykendall said.

For more information on the tournament, or to sign up as a golfer or sponsor, call Marie Kuykendall at 408.730.5044 or email majek35@aol.com.

Forms can also be mailed or faxed to Marie Kuykendall at 1024 W. Evelyn Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 or 408.730.5046.