Event: O’Leary Golf Classic
Date: Monday, August 28, 2023
Location: Los Altos Golf & Country Club, Cupertino, CA
Event Highlights:
Monday was the perfect day to golf “FORE” foster youth, and over 85 of Silicon Valley’s top corporate and philanthropic leaders gathered at Los Altos Golf & Country Club (LAGCC) to do just that. Originally founded by Child Advocates board member Walter “Skip” Shaw, the tournament was renamed in honor of former board member and avid golfer Michael O’Leary after his passing in 2021. Now in its 18th year, the O’Leary Golf Classic mixed the old with the new, bringing back crowd favorites such as on-course contests and the penny social raffle, while also introducing fresh elements, including a highly successful one-handed putting contest and the Wall of Spirits fundraiser.
Returning golfers are accustomed to receiving a complimentary “tee prize,” which changes year to year, and they look forward to its reveal at check-in. Our 2023 golfers were lucky enough to don exclusive caps, co-branded with Child Advocates’ logo and LAGCC’s limited-edition centennial emblem, specially made for the 18th annual tournament. After enjoying welcome-cocktails and catered lunch, the golfers loaded up and headed out to play 18 holes on one of California’s finest courses. With a first place prize on the line, there was no shortage of friendly competition on the green, and team members put their individual skills to the test vying for the “Straightest Drive” and “Closest to the Pin” awards.
ON-COURSE CONTEST WINNERS
- One-Handed Putting
- Brett Nakashima
- Hole #1 Straightest Drive
- Men: Frank Salcicca
- Women: Nell O’Donnell
- Hole #6 Closest to the Pin
- Men: Joe Root
- Women: Robin Edmondson
- Hole #15 Closest to the Pin
- Men: Ray Lancon
- Women: Kristin Le
TOURNAMENT AWARDS
- 1st Place Lowest Team Score
- Men’s/Mixed Team: Team Barton (Andy Barton, Matt Lee, Matt Hehman, Russell Chu)
- Women’s Team: Team Barbie (Debbie Crouse, Orathai MacDonald, Connie Wu, Kara Herren)
- 2nd Place Lowest Team Score
- Men’s/Mixed Team: Team Namimatsu (Dennis Namimatsu, Don Goudy, Joe Root, Mike Cinelli)
- Women’s Team: Denise Robinson, Pam Schramm, Marilyn Rogers, Susan Lundberg
As the afternoon came to a close, additional guests arrived and met golfers upon their return, toasting a game well played. With dinner in full swing, we heard words from current Board Chair Steve Hoffman and recognized former board member Debbie Crouse as this year’s recipient of the Skip Shaw Inspiration Award. Debbie originally began her service to Child Advocates when she joined the Board of Directors in 2016. She served as Board Secretary for two years, proudly volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for one year and founded the annual Foster5k + Kids Dash. Child Advocates CEO Frederick J. Ferrer presented the award and thanked Debbie for her unwavering commitment to Santa Clara County’s foster youth over the last seven years.
The evening continued with an eagerly-anticipated live auction, which featured highly-coveted golf packages, relaxing getaways and premium seats to Giants and Niner games. Guests had the opportunity to hear from Jasmine Scott, a current CASA Volunteer and Child Advocates’ very own Learning & DEI Manager, as she shared heartfelt stories from her experience as a CASA before the program concluded with our annual Fund-a-Need experience. All funds generated from the O’Leary Golf Classic benefit Child Advocates and our mission to help foster youth through our CASA Program. Altogether, this year’s event raised over $170k, helping to ensure every child, youth and non-minor dependent (NMD) in Santa Clara County’s foster care system has the resources needed to thrive.
The 2023 O’Leary Golf Classic was made possible by the generosity of our donors, event sponsors and all of this year’s attendees.
Presenting Platinum Sponsor
- Cisco Systems, Inc.
Eagle Sponsor
- Christy & Jeff Richardson
Bogey Sponsors
- Crouse Family
- O’Leary Family
- San Jose Woodworking
- Springwood Apartments
Tee Sponsors
- Citibank
- Devcon Construction, Inc.
- Sand Hill Global Advisors
Welcome Sponsor
- Hannig Family
Reception Sponsor
- Patricia Richardson
If you have any questions or are interested in sponsoring next year’s golf tournament, please contact our development department at development@childadvocatessv.org.
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and we look forward to seeing everyone again in 2024 for the 19th annual O’Leary Golf Classic!
