Event Date: Friday April 26, 2024

During this end of the season tourney, we celebrated three major milestones:

 

• the end of Year 3 after our course’s exciting re-opening in 2021;

• 40 years of golf at Pusch Ridge since it’s original opening; and

• the Town of Oro Valley’s 50-year birthday!

Wow – where do we begin?? It was an incredible day at The Pusch Ridge Golf Course.  The El Con Golf Professionals arrived at sunrise and took care of every detail… Carts, Pairings, Water, Course Prep – It was like The US Open – only better!

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The Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf volunteers set up the registration tent and then literally walked it over to The Last Territory after our first shotgun of 48 golfers headed out for their round at 9AM.  With over 20 volunteers along with The El Conquistador Golf Team, the all-day celebration went off without a hitch!  This is our 6th tourney since the course re-opened in 2021. Always fun, both on and off the golf course!

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Head Pro Mark Thesing contributed his amazing golf skills on number 3 in the morning and Darryl Janisse, General Manager of El Conquistador Golf, did the same in the afternoon as we “bought” their pro shot on the longest hole of the course.  Wow – how do they do it? Over and over and over!

Our lunch event at The Hilton El Conquistador’s Last Territory commenced at 11:30 and included golfers from the morning and afternoon shotgun’s, Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf and invited dignitaries! This is starting to be the hottest ticket in town.  Travis Williams, Hilton Hotel Manager welcomed the crowd – without the Hilton’s generosity we would not be able to host this event at such a fun venue! THANK YOU!  

Darryl Janisse shared his positive perspective about Pusch Ridge and golf in Oro Valley.  We cannot say enough about Darryl’s leadership and “can-do” attitude – thank you for choosing El Con Golf!!

Chris Cornelison, Deputy Town Manager, spoke to the crowd using analogies to a Maya Angelou quote... “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”   Chris has been with us through the course closure, re-opening, countless meetings and every celebration!  Chris represents the Town with integrity, honesty and also a great sense of humor.  Thank you for joining us and recognizing that Friends of Pusch Ridge is bigger than golf.  We strive to bring the community together through the game of golf and have taken on the challenge to advocate for mindful water use on the course and in our community going forward.

Mayor Joe Winfield followed Chris with positive remarks about the success of the three El Conquistador Golf Courses.  The numbers are progressively impressive – good for the Town from so many perspectives – quality local recreation – tourism – economic benefit... One of the many reasons why we live here.  Mayor Joe joined in the fun – handing out all of the awards and door prizes.  It was a joy to have him participate on Arbor Day – a successful Landscape Architect celebrating with Friends of Pusch Ridge after a tree planting event.

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Congratulations to the winners!

Morning Group

• Longest drive for men and women:  Cyndi Cook and Rico Rodriguez

• Closest to the pin for men and women: Lisa Dissinger and Ted Krill

• Two foursomes tied for first with a score of 33: Karl Koch, Angelo Bifano, Jim Stone and Matt Wood - and - John Streuber, Casey Streuber, Carlyn Sherer and Keith Sherer

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Afternoon Group

• Longest Drive for men and women: Cindi Keeler, Michelle McWilliams and Mike Clary

• Closest to the Pin: Jim Schilling  

• Foursome with a winning score of 30: Cindi and John Keeler, and Toni and George Chardukian

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Thank you beyond words to our incredible volunteers and generous door prize donors.  We had so many lovely prizes which included hand crafted vases, custom made earrings, gift cards, huge gift baskets full of yummy stuff, vintage collectibles, Arbonne Skin Care, golf balls, hats, golf gear and more…

 

The Pusch Ridge Golf Course has brought countless people together for golf, camaraderie, community gatherings at local restaurants and undoubtedly lifelong friendships. 

 

We are grateful and look forward to the rest of the season and more fun next season.

 

Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf Board and Advisors

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Click here to enjoy more pictures taken during the event.