Dan Reed Memorial Golf Classic: Golf for Heroes
Golf Tournament Raises over $40,000 to Help First Responders and Military Families.
Over $40,000 was raised to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T) on Friday, June 7, at the Dan Reed Memorial Golf Classic held at San Vicente Golf Resort.
Veteran and San Vicente Golf Member Dan Reed started and led the tournament planning and execution two years ago with his wife, Victoria, as a meaningful way to give back. They collaborated with their dedicated committee, sponsors, and players to raise a total of $80,000 in the two tournaments before he passed away last year shortly after attending a T2T golf event in Alaska.
128 players bought tickets for the event, which included an opening ceremony with the Ramona High School Color Guard, the National Anthem sung by Dave Castberg, Matt Brumbaugh welcoming all and recognizing tournament lead Victoria Reed, and last was New York-based T2T Director, National Golf Series Thomas McDonough thanking all the players for coming to support the cause.
Players received a boxed lunch, a round of golf on a gorgeous day, a social hour, and a dinner with a meaningful program. FUNtastic chances to win prize entries were sold for Hole 12, and the player who landed a ball within a 25-foot circle around the flag won a dozen Callaway golf balls. The Putting Contest Winner, Kevin Murray, received a beautiful patriotic golf bag.
The players were a mixture of supportive golfers, veterans, active military and teams of firefighters and police officers. The winning foursome (Woychak, Woychak, Andrews, and Roberson) was a group of CalFire professionals sponsored by Penny Fowler.
Playful banter, groans after bad shots, laughter, and one team shouting, “Eagle!” could be heard on the course and smiles and high fives were abundant.
After a delicious catered dinner, the evening program started with T2T lead Thomas McDonough telling the story of Steven Siller, a courageous New York firefighter who was planning to play golf on September 11, 2001, when he received the call that a plane hit the twin towers. Steven learned his fire team had left already, so he drove alone and was stopped at the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, which was closed for security purposes. He parked his truck, grabbed his 60 pounds of firefighting gear, and ran through the tunnel to the towers, helping to save thousands of people before he lost his life. “He lost his life while saving others,” Thomas said.
Thomas then recognized Dan Reed for his tireless T2T tournament efforts and Victoria Reed for being Dan’s partner in the tournaments and in life. Victoria celebrated Dan’s spirit as she led this year’s team of volunteers in the first Dan Reed Memorial Classic and was presented with flowers by her dedicated committee members.
Tissues were needed during Vanessa Calhoun’s story as the Gold Star Family recipient of a T2T-funded mortgage-free home. Wife of recently slain Police Officer Darnell Calhoun and mother of three young children, Russell (5), Troy (3), and Malcolm (1), she bravely shared her heart-breaking story and her gratitude to the foundation. She talked about the love she experienced with her husband, whom she met in college, the brave journey she embarked on after their unimaginable loss, and her persistent dedication to life and raising a family well in the face of challenges and difficulties. Her mother and father, Katina and Andre Brown, were nearby taking care of their grandchildren while she spoke.
The event concluded with the recognition of the 15 sponsors, a silent auction and a live auction for a Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke; the golf bag was a custom Tunnel to Towers logo bag, won by a golfer from the San Diego Sheriff’s Association for $5,000.
McDonough repeatedly said, “We live in the greatest country in the world,” and provided inspiration to take a moment and reflect on all the good in our American spirit.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation honors the sacrifice of first responders and military heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to their families and offering support to ensure they are not forgotten.
Photos and videos by Heather McGhee.
