Event Date: May 5, 2023

As the sun came up on May 5, 2023, the Indigo Team staged 26 carts in the parking lot, set up the “prize” holes, readied the pro shop and patio and greeted the advance team of our Cinco de Mayo volunteers! 52 golfers started to arrive with festive shirts, smiles and hugs.  This celebration honored another incredible season of golf at this beautiful and challenging course nestled in the Catalina’s.

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Golf Pro’s, Troy Jewkes and Mark Thesing, kicked off the scramble with words of wisdom, explained the “complicated” rules and sent the group off to enjoy the green fairways, freshly mowed greens, birds serenading them in the trees and the sun coming over the ridge! Darryl Janisse, newly appointed General Manager of El Conquistador Golf led the pack on hole number 1!

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Golfers and Volunteers came from Oro Valley, Tucson, Marana and Saddlebrook Ranch - truly a community event.  The four Pusch Ridge Golf leagues were well represented after another year of weekly golf, celebrations on the patio, drinks at the Hilton and celebrations at local restaurants.  A big thanks to The Landing and FireTruck for their support - Happy Hour all day for our golfers!

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While the golfers were scrambling, more volunteers set up tents and chairs on the lawn by the tennis courts. Ron, Troy and Logan (Indigo Team) set up a bar, Fork and Fire delivered hot delicious food, the prizes and door prize donations were displayed, and we cranked up the music! They arrived back - to an instant party - ready to share their stories of agony and success.

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Chris Cornelison, Oro Valley Interim Town Manager, kicked off lunch with a positive message about the success of the course and the relationship we have built with the Town and HOA’s.  Chris acknowledged the determination of Friends of Pusch Ridge and the collaborative activities that have taken place with the Town since 2020!  We are so thankful he could join us.

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Darryl Janisse spoke to the crowd and shared his plans to widen the fairways! (We think he was being just a little facetious).  Apparently, some of his golf shots visited some of the blooming desert lining the course. Welcome to Oro Valley, Darryl - we look forward to working with you and your team in the future.

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Prizes were awarded to the golfers and many donated door prizes were shared while the group noshed on sliders, mac and cheese, coleslaw and chips & salsa.  Ron and Troy served drinks and we all toasted another great season, friendship, community and Fast, Fun and Affordable Golf.

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Cheers to our Volunteers:  Anna and Angelo Bifano, Pam Kravitz, Helen Dowling and Walt Gallagher, Dan Talsma, Dave and Patty Brown, Katie Dowdall, Anji Verlaque, Betty Shearin, Kelly Windsor, Darlene and Jim Beltz, Steve and Carolyn Weinig, John and Cindy Cronin and many, many more who just pitched in to help do whatever.  A special thanks to the Indigo staff who went above and beyond and always with a smile, and thanks to the El Con Patio Homes HOA for the loan of their tables and chairs!

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Congratulations to our WINNERS!

• Best Foursome with a 31! Nancy and Kevin Jordan, Amy Obbink and Michelle McWilliam

• Closest to the Pin: Toni Chardukian and Dave Brown (Special Mention goes to Matt Wood)

• Most Accurate Drive: Pam Kravitz and Craig Bss

 

A Big Thank You to our Tee and Door Prize donors  

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• El Conquistador Golf: Four Rounds of Golf

• Pusch Ridge Golf: Four Rounds of Golf

• Lisa Dissinger: A beautiful bag full of incredible Arbonne Products

• Spawell: $50.00 gift certificate

• Friends of Pusch Ridge: 8 boxes of really cool Cinco de Mayo (Callaway) Golf Balls

• Home Depot Gift Card - Mo McNeary and Terry Sieben

• 20 Minute Golf Lesson from the fabulous Golf Pro - Mr. Troy Jewkes

• Fantastic bloody Mary Gift Basket and bottle of wine - Laura and Greg Baldwin

• Surprise basket of beauty - Debbie at Haven Salon

• A giant basket full of goodies and spirits - donated by Mike and Linda Clary

• $100 donation from Karl Koch

• (2) $50 Trader Joes gift cards - Kathleen and Bill Gardner

• (2) Breakfast for two certificates at the beautiful Sundance café at the El Conquistador Hotel - Shelby Francom, the Hilton’s General Manager

• Dinner for two on the scenic terrace at Epazote at the El Conquistador Hotel - Shelby Francom

 

Our heartfelt thank you!

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Your Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf Board of Directors and Advisors

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Click on the photos below to see pictures of the day!