Prudential California Realty

From left, Kelsey Liddle of Camarillo; Alexander Thompson of Agoura; Jose Herrera of Fillmore; Ryan Hinds of Westlake; Bob Majorino, broker/owner Prudential California Realty; and Carolin Kunze of Newbury Park.

After a day of golf at the Moorpark Country Club on Aug. 9, the staff, management, agents, celebrities and guests of Prudential California Realty partook of a banquet where winners were announced and awards handed out. But there was a much greater cause behind this event than just a golf tournament.

The annual Golf Classic gala is a fundraiser for the "Spirit of the Community" scholarships. The recipients, graduating seniors from local high schools, are young adults who support their community, demonstrate strong leadership qualities and organize or contribute to community activities. One individual in each graduating class from nine schools received the award, along with eight grants for $2,500 plus a $1,000 grant to the Fillmore winner (new this year) toward the first year of college.

The nine recipients this year were Jenny Yan from Oak Park, Gabriela Padilla from Oxnard, Jose Herrera from Fillmore, Andrea Lean from Moorpark, Ryan Hinds from Westlake, Alexander Thompson from Agoura, Kelsey Liddle from Camarillo, Carolin Kunze from Newbury Park and Danielle Erb from Thousand Oaks. Five of the teens attended the banquet with their parents. The rest were on vacation or already off to college.

Funds for these awards came from a variety of sources: a raffle, a silent auction, contests, the tournament itself and donations. Local businesses and individuals gave toward the raffle and auction, including dozens of gift baskets, gift certificates and sports memorabilia. The raffle grand prize was a seven-night cruise for two to the Mexican Riviera.

Celebrity attendees include Frank Robinson and four other former sports figures.

A DJ and dancing rounded out the evening. The tournament raised $40,000 in 2006. Funds are still being tallied for this year, but several more teens will be the recipients of scholarships in 2008, thanks to PCR and the efforts of a team of volunteers