By Carolyn Gray Anderson
One of the most popular aspects of Alumni Weekend is its culminating event, the Alumni Golf Tournament, the brainchild of Chris Benedict (’98), Curtis Colon (’98) and Jim Hannon (’98) (who have recently been joined by co-chair John Kelly ’98). The nine-year-old volunteer-run tournament puts the “fun” in fundraising, with 45 golf foursomes competing as teams for a range of prizes and recognition. In a separate putting contest, all players get a chance to win private jet travel to Las Vegas, provided by Pride Flight Associates, a local company founded by Anderson alumnus Roger Behrstock (BS ’59).
Benedict, also the CFO of the UCLA Anderson Alumni Network Board, says, “As Anderson alumni, we should all embrace the spirit of giving back to help support and grow the brand that is UCLA Anderson. What is really effective about this tournament is that it enables this while bringing the full cross-section of constituents together in a great day of camaraderie and networking.”
Benedict says the 22 members of the Tournament Committee work closely with their classmates and other alumni to arrange donations that make sense for the event, the participants and of course for the giver, as often as possible someone connected with Anderson. For instance, it’s a perfect fit when an alumnus has a company that can provide morning coffee — which, this year, comes courtesy of Krishna Gupta’s (’11) BeanGenius.
The committee cultivates such donations as much to benefit event participants and support Alumni Weekend as to showcase Anderson alumni business success. For example, alumni attending their reunion celebrations — part of the overall Alumni Weekend festivities — will be treated to a candy cocktail table styled and donated by Rosie O’Neill (’05), co-founder of gourmet sweet shop Sugarfina. In turn, a stellar marketing and promotional opportunity is extended to donors, who see their company logo in electronic and print communication and are celebrated via Anderson social media. This is one of many ways Anderson alumni share success in both directions.
The tournament organizers are committed to offering opportunities to Anderson-owned and -related companies. A highlight among this year’s “tee bag” gifts is a pair of TOMS shoes in Bruin colors for each of the players. The co-chairs’ classmate Chris Bonner (’98), SVP of supply chain operations at TOMS, has generously arranged corporate gifts in the past when he’s worked at other companies, demonstrating a personal dedication to Anderson. Thanks to Bonner, TOMS will be donating over 200 pairs of shoes.
In addition, Dwight Holcomb (GEMBA ’11), who serves as vice president of the UCLA Anderson Alumni Network Board, will donate bottles of his LifePet Organic pet shampoo; Amy Bergrud (FEMBA 2004), who, as GM, has arranged a donation of discount cards from Rosenthal – The Malibu Estate Wines; and Maxim Weitzman (’98) is stocking the bags with much-needed sunscreen from his company SolScents.
Monetary support for the event comes from sponsors, the players’ entry fees, and individual and corporate donors. The tournament raises as much as $19,000 each year (“With the potential to do much better,” according to Benedict), and 90 percent directly funds scholarship and fellowships, with the remaining 10 percent supporting alumni activities and chapter events.
The UCLA Anderson Alumni Golf Tournament takes place on Monday, May 4, 2015, at the MountainGate Country Club in Brentwood.
Would you like to to join your many fellow alumni in taking advantage of sponsorship opportunities and donating goods and services from your successful business? We invite you to contact Chris Benedict at [email protected].
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